Technicians must have comprehensive, real-time visibility into the performance and health of each device and the network itself. This visibility helps quickly spot issues and ensure systems are running without problems, and it enables minor issues to be addressed before they cause downtime.
Network visibility isn’t a new idea, but it’s becoming more important for OT networks. In the past, OT networks were designed to be low-maintenance and reliable, often going unnoticed until something went wrong. Troubleshooting only happened when there was a visible issue. This was the standard approach to OT network visibility for years.
But today’s OT networks can’t operate like this anymore. With complex systems that need constant monitoring and handling large amounts of data, it’s essential to keep track of everything in real-time.
Sticking with outdated methods creates “blind spots,”. Despite this, some senior staff may resist change, questioning whether deeper network visibility is truly necessary. This hesitation is understandable, but the reality is, that today’s OT networks no longer operate in isolated environments. With the shift to IP-based infrastructure, the integration of IoT devices, and the rise in cyber threats, the challenges of managing these networks have changed dramatically.
What is Network Visibility?
Network visibility means having the ability to monitor and understand the current state of a network. This includes tracking devices, data traffic, and overall performance to make sure everything is working as it should. With OT networks supporting critical infrastructure in smart buildings and connected facilities, this kind of visibility is essential for minimizing downtime, improving efficiency, and protecting against cyberattacks.
Here are six reasons why better visibility is a must for modern OT systems.
1. Communication is Critical
OT networks depend on optimized, efficient, and coordinated data communication between different systems—from temperature sensors and HVAC to lighting and energy management. To do this, network health must be at its peak: that means low latency, high availability, and strong security.
Technicians must also have comprehensive, real-time visibility into the performance and health of each device and the network itself. This visibility helps quickly spot issues and ensure systems are running without problems, and it enables minor issues to be addressed before they cause downtime.
Ultimately, the key to maintaining a high-performing and responsive building environment lies in giving technicians the tools to monitor and optimize network health at all times.
2. IoT Adds Another Layer of Complexity
OT networks also support IoT systems, which rely on the network to communicate effectively. With comprehensive visibility into the network, technicians can monitor device health, performance, traffic flows, and network anomalies in real time, quickly identifying and resolving potential issues before they disrupt automation workflows. This proactive approach minimizes downtime, extends equipment life, and prevents costly disruptions, allowing organizations to fully leverage the capabilities of IoT solutions.
By addressing issues early, teams avoid reactive “firefighting” and ensure smooth operations, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and reliability of smart building automation and supporting long-term operational success.
3. Enhanced Security Posture
For IT managers working with OT teams, security is a key concern. OT networks, which weren’t originally built with security in mind, are now more vulnerable to cyberattacks. As OT networks increasingly rely on IP-based systems, they’re exposed to greater risk.
Having deep visibility into network activity allows for continuous monitoring of traffic and device behavior, helping identify security threats early. This helps prevent attacks from spreading across connected devices, keeping the network safer.
IT/OT convergence is still uncharted territory for a lot of professionals. To help, we published a guide of helpful tips for IT Managers looking for ways to collaborate productively with their OT partners. Check it out!
4. Improved Performance, Proactive Monitoring
Comprehensive insights into network health ensure optimal performance by pinpointing bottlenecks, misconfigurations, and underperforming devices. This translates to better bandwidth utilization, improved data flow, and more efficient integration with IT systems.
Regular monitoring allows technicians to spot potential problems before they cause downtime. Proactive maintenance saves time and money by preventing issues before they escalate.
After all, there’s no point in keeping a close eye on your network if you can’t actually see anything!
5. Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
Many industries, such as healthcare and education, have strict rules about network performance, data security, and uptime. To stay compliant, organizations need to track things like device performance, network uptime, and security incidents. Modern OT networks are, more often than not, included in stringent regulations related to privacy, cybersecurity, and operational continuity. This requires comprehensive tracking and reporting of network metrics such as device performance, uptime, data flows, and security incidents.
Deep visibility into the network provides the tools necessary for compliance tracking. By having access to detailed data on network health, technicians can ensure that systems remain within the parameters required by regulatory bodies. It also allows for the creation of automated, customizable reports that demonstrate adherence to regulatory requirements, such as those outlined by HIPAA for healthcare facilities, or NIST standards for cybersecurity.
This level of insight ensures that, even in the face of stringent regulations, the network remains secure, compliant, and fully operational, preventing costly errors and fostering trust with stakeholders.
6. Increased Operational Agility and Cost Efficiency
With better network visibility, organizations can quickly adapt to changing needs. Whether adding new devices or fixing issues right away, real-time insights make it easier to allocate resources and manage the network efficiently.
Proactively addressing issues reduces the need for expensive emergency repairs and minimizes downtime, ultimately driving cost savings. With continuous monitoring and data-driven decision-making, OT networks can run more efficiently, providing greater operational flexibility while keeping expenses under control. This increased operational efficiency not only boosts the performance of smart building systems but also enhances the overall financial health of the organization.
It Starts With Packet Inspection
For OT networks, packet inspection is especially useful. It can spot problems in protocols like BACnet and help optimize data flow, as well as quickly identify a host of issues surrounding connectivity, latency, and more. But without a robust tool to analyze those packets, it’s a long, tedious, and manual process of translation.
Optigo Visual Networks’ (OptigoVN) suite of diagnostics leverages packet inspection to analyze BACnet traffic like no other solution. Within seconds, OptigoVN can bring results at the device level based on a single packet capture file or leverage our hardware and software capture tools to bring you alerts in real time. OptigoVN then provides easy-to-understand results, with insights and context to help you pinpoint your issues and solve them for good.
To help get the best packet captures into OptigoVN, we recommend using Optigo Networks Hardware Capture Tool for all BACnet packet capture activities, and our free Optigo Networks Software Capture Tool (available as a Windows or Linux application) for BACnet IP or BACnet Ethernet captures.
We’ve also created an expert how-to guide for creating the best packet capture files for your BACnet system. It’s a deep dive into the best way to set up, deploy, and filter your network traffic so you get only what you need to diagnose your BACnet system.
When OT networks are the backbone of smart buildings and critical infrastructure, network visibility is essential. It ensures teams don’t just see their network—they truly understand it, enabling faster troubleshooting, stronger security, and better overall performance.
Ready to harness OptigoVN’s network monitoring to see your network better than ever? Sign up for a free trial of OptigoVN today or contact us to schedule a personalized demo and see how our platform can empower your team.
FAQ: Better OT Network Visibility
1. What is OT network visibility?
OT network visibility refers to the ability to monitor and understand the health, performance, and security of devices and data traffic in an operational technology network. This enables technicians to identify potential issues, optimize performance, and maintain overall system reliability in real time.
2. Why is network visibility important for modern OT systems?
Modern OT systems, especially in smart buildings, require constant monitoring and coordination between various systems (like HVAC, lighting, and energy management). Network visibility ensures that these systems are performing optimally and helps technicians quickly address issues, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operations.
3. How does IoT affect OT network visibility?
With the increasing number of IoT devices in OT networks, such as sensors and controllers, visibility becomes even more crucial. IoT devices rely heavily on network performance, and having real-time monitoring allows technicians to track their health, detect anomalies, and resolve issues proactively, ensuring the automation workflows remain uninterrupted.
4. How does enhanced network visibility improve security?
OT networks are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks as they adopt IP-based systems. Having deep visibility into network activity allows for continuous monitoring of traffic and devices, making it easier to detect security threats early. This helps prevent attacks from spreading and minimizes the risk of a network breach.
5. Can better visibility help with regulatory compliance?
Yes, many industries have strict regulations around network performance, data security, and uptime. With comprehensive visibility into the OT network, organizations can track device performance, network uptime, and security incidents, ensuring they remain compliant with regulations such as HIPAA in healthcare or NIST standards for cybersecurity.
6. How does network visibility enhance operational efficiency and cost savings?
Better visibility enables organizations to adapt quickly to changes, address issues promptly, and allocate resources efficiently. Proactively addressing network issues reduces the need for expensive emergency repairs, minimizes downtime, and drives cost savings while boosting overall operational agility and efficiency.
7. What is packet inspection, and why is it important for OT networks?
Packet inspection involves analyzing the data packets traveling through a network to identify issues such as connectivity problems, latency, or protocol errors. In OT networks, this is especially useful for diagnosing issues with systems like BACnet and optimizing data flow. Tools like Optigo Visual Networks use packet inspection to provide detailed, real-time insights that help quickly resolve network problems.
*Article FAQs are created with the help of AI
