Cybersecurity – protecting IT, OT, and critical infrastructure

Cybersecurity in public, defense, and industrial organizations involves much more than just protecting workstations and servers.

It encompasses networks, identity and access management, application systems, endpoints, OT infrastructure, physical security systems, and data processed in on-premises, distributed, and air-gapped environments.

We design security architectures tailored to an organization's operational model, infrastructure, availability requirements, and data protection needs. We combine technologies from various vendors, integrate security systems, and build solutions suited for environments where business continuity is mission-critical.

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Cybersecurity architecture tailored to your infrastructure

Every organization has a unique operating model, infrastructure scope, and risk profile. That is why we design cybersecurity architecture around your specific assets, users, services, data, and how they are utilized.

We account for:

• IT and OT infrastructure,
• networks and inter-site communication,
• servers, endpoints, and application systems,
• user and device identity,
• data and information storage and processing systems,
• physical security systems,
• on-premises, hybrid, and air-gapped environments.

This approach aligns with modern cybersecurity risk management models, where security is an integral part of organizational architecture and management rather than just a single technological layer. NIST CSF 2.0 defines cybersecurity precisely as a risk management framework applicable to public administration, industry, and other organizations.

IT infrastructure protection

We design security layers for the networks, servers, workstations, endpoints, and services used by your organization.

The scope of the solution may include:

• network and communication security,
• firewalls and network traffic protection,
• endpoint and server protection,
• infrastructure segmentation,
• email security,
• securing access to applications and services,
• security event monitoring,
• data and backup protection.

The selection of security mechanisms is based on the environment architecture and how individual resources are utilized.

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OT and Industrial System Cybersecurity

OT environments require a different approach than typical office environments. Control and automation systems often operate for many years, and their availability, predictability, and physical process safety are just as critical as data confidentiality.

We design security measures taking into account:

• OT network architecture,
• segmentation and environment separation,
• communication between IT and OT,
• remote access,
• industrial devices and control systems,
• communication and event monitoring,
• limitations related to modernizing existing systems.

OT environment security requires accounting for its specific nature, including requirements for reliability, availability, performance, and physical process safety. The scope of OT includes industrial, transport, and building automation systems, as well as access control and physical environment monitoring systems.

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Network segmentation and communication control

We design infrastructure division into security zones and the rules for communication between them.

Segmentation allows for limiting the scope of communication between resources and controlling data flow between environments with different trust levels and security requirements.

In IT/OT environments, controlling connections between the user network, servers, management systems, and control devices and systems is of particular importance.

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Identity, access, and Zero Trust

We protect access to resources through authentication, authorization, permission management, and device control.

In architectures using Zero Trust principles, access is evaluated based on the identity of the user, device, resource, and context, rather than solely on network location. In Zero Trust architecture, access to resources is evaluated based on the identity of the user, device, resource, and context [SP 800-207, Zero Trust Architecture | CSRC]. The location of a user or device on the network does not in itself constitute a basis for trust.

Depending on the project, we use, among others:

• MFA,
• IAM,
• PAM,
• application and resource access control,
• privileged account management,
• identity-based access policies.

Detailed solutions in this area are presented on the pages Identity and access and PAM.

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Security event detection and analysis

We combine information from various sources to identify events that require analysis and response.

Depending on the environment architecture, we integrate, among others:

• system logs,
• network device events,
• endpoint information,
• identity system data,
• application events,
• OT infrastructure information,
• technical security system data.

SIEM and XDR systems allow for the aggregation and analysis of information from multiple sources. We design their integration with existing infrastructure and the way data is utilized by security teams.

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Incident response and automation

Detecting an event is not the end of the security process. We also design mechanisms for incident response and mitigation.

The scope may include:

• event classification and prioritization,
• automated protective actions,
• isolating devices or accounts,
• blocking specific connections,
• escalating events to the appropriate teams,
• documenting actions and the incident lifecycle.

We tailor the level of automation to the nature of the environment and the organization's requirements. In critical infrastructure, it is particularly important to control which actions are performed automatically and which require a decision from an authorized operator.

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Cybersecurity for technical security systems

Cameras, VMS, access control, alarm systems, ANPR, and perimeter devices are also part of an organization's digital infrastructure.

That is why we take into account their:

• network architecture,
• communication methods,
• accounts and permissions,
• updates and device management,
• remote access,
• data storage,
• integration with the rest of the infrastructure.

This area combines cybersecurity expertise with technical security. We describe the detailed scope of security system design and integration on the page Technical security.

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Data security and business continuity

Cybersecurity also encompasses an organization's ability to maintain or restore critical services following a failure, error, or incident.

We design solutions including:

• backups,
• backup protection,
• infrastructure redundancy,
• recovery mechanisms,
• protection of critical data,
• high-availability solutions,
• disaster recovery scenarios for essential services.

In public, military, and critical infrastructure environments, security architecture must also account for system operation under conditions of limited availability of specific services or connectivity.

In its current digital strategy, NATO emphasizes the importance of digital resilience, the protection of mission-critical services, and the redundancy and diversification of technical solutions to ensure the continuity of key functions [Alliance Digital Strategy | NATO Official text].

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Cybersecurity in air-gapped environments

We design solutions for organizations that require restricted or completely disabled internet connectivity.

We include:

• isolated networks,
• controlled data transfer,
• local management mechanisms,
• local update and signature repositories,
• removable media control,
• restricted administrative access,
• local environment event monitoring.

The architecture is tailored to the level of isolation, security requirements, and the system's operational model.

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Cybersecurity for the public sector, defense, and critical infrastructure

We design solutions for organizations where a cyber incident could impact the availability of public services, infrastructure security, process continuity, or operational mission success.

This applies to:

• public administration,
• the defense sector and military organizations,
• critical infrastructure,
• transport and logistics,
• industry,
• organizations with distributed IT/OT infrastructure.

In the European Union, the NIS2 directive includes requirements for cybersecurity risk management, incident reporting, and the accountability of entities within its scope.

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How do we design cybersecurity solutions?

Environment and risk analysis

We examine infrastructure architecture, key assets, system dependencies, and organizational requirements.

Security architecture design

We define security zones, access control mechanisms, communication flows, data sources, and environment monitoring methods.

Technology selection

We select solutions tailored to the architecture, security requirements, and system operation methods.

Integration

We integrate security technologies with existing IT and OT infrastructure, technical security systems, and software.

Testing and deployment

We verify the performance of security mechanisms, communication between components, and incident response scenarios.

Development and maintenance

We evolve the architecture in line with changes in infrastructure, threats, organizational requirements, and technology.

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Cybersecurity technologies

Depending on the project, we integrate solutions in the following areas:

• network security and firewalls,
• XDR and endpoint protection,
• SIEM and event analysis,
• IAM, MFA, and PAM,
• Zero Trust,
• IT/OT security,
• network segmentation,
• data protection and backup,
• cloud security,
• monitoring and response automation.

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Cybersecurity R&D projects

We also develop our own expertise through research and development projects focused on cybersecurity and the protection of critical systems.

One example is a project carried out under the PERUNprogram, focused on the cybersecurity of technical security systems.

R&D allows us to work on solutions that meet the specific requirements of environments where standard products fall short of project needs.

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Why squareTec?

Integration of IT, OT, and technical security
We bridge infrastructure layers that, in practice, operate within a single security environment.

Integration and software expertise
We integrate technologies from various vendors and develop custom components whenever a project requires it.

Experience in high-security environments
We work with the public sector, defense, industry, and critical infrastructure.

Architecture tailored to your environment
We take into account your existing infrastructure, as well as requirements for availability, isolation, access, and data protection.

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Design a cybersecurity architecture for your organization

Let’s talk about your organization’s infrastructure, systems, and security requirements.

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