Are you still relying on outdated firewalls? MetaDefender Optical Diode (Fend) replaces traditional firewalls, ensuring the security of data flows for Fortune 500 petrochemical companies.

Without critical patching, cybersecurity solutions cannot stay ahead of emerging threats, leaving organizations using them vulnerable. When this North American petrochemical company needed to replace its existing firewall solution, they knew they had to act quickly.

With their firewalls nearing expiration, the gap between their IT and OT environments is exposed to immediate risk, forcing the organization to consider critical vulnerabilities.

Loss of Security Controls – Without alternatives, the refinery could face unauthorized access to critical OT data.
Operational Disruptions – Insecure data transmission slows decision-making, impacting production and regulatory compliance reporting.
Increased Network Risks – Firewalls require frequent patching; failure to maintain updates could expose the refinery network to ransomware, zero-day attacks, and remote access attacks.
Financial Impact – Downtime caused by insecure or ineffective replacement solutions could result in millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Abandon firewalls and choose one-way gateways instead

After evaluating various options, the company selected OPSWAT’s MetaDefender One-Way Fiber Gateway (Fend XE15) to replace its EOL firewall. Unlike firewalls that rely on software rules and require updates, the one-way gateway enforces security at the hardware level, allowing only one-way data flow and preventing any potential inbound threats from entering the refinery’s control system. Compared to a firewall, the Fend one-way gateway represents a significant upgrade, offering additional benefits beyond hardware-enforced data flow.

Seamless Integration – The Fend XE15 gateway is designed to directly replace a firewall, requiring minimal reconfiguration.
Zero-Maintenance Security – The gateway eliminates software-based protection, thus eliminating the need for constant patching.
Scalability – The gateway’s compact size, ruggedness, and cost-effectiveness make it suitable for deployment at all refinery locations.

Protecting today's critical environment from tomorrow's unknown threats.

With MetaDefender Fend one-way data gateway, the company has secured its refining operations from cyber threats while reducing long-term security and maintenance costs. This data transmission strategy ensures continued compliance, uptime, and business continuity for decades to come.

Are you ready to use MetaDefender Optical Diode as your first line of defense against advanced threats to your critical environment? Talk to the experts now to learn why OPSWAT is trusted globally to protect critical elements.