In a strategic move to fortify defenses against the escalating threat of ransomware attacks targeting industrial organizations, Swimlane and Dragos Inc. have announced a new partnership. This collaboration between Swimlane, renowned for its security automation solutions, and Dragos Inc., a global leader in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity, marks a significant leap forward in the protection of OT infrastructures. Together, they are introducing an integration of Swimlane Turbine with the Dragos Platform, aiming for faster and more efficient detection and response to threats by leveraging artificial intelligence across both IT and OT environments.

The rise of ransomware attacks on industrial sectors by 50% underscores an urgent need for comprehensive and effective security measures. The integration by Swimlane and Dragos addresses this need head-on, creating a robust defense mechanism against such cyber threats. This partnership not only showcases the merging of expertise from leading entities in security automation and OT cybersecurity but also highlights the critical necessity for tailored security measures in the wake of evolving digital threats.

Modern industrial organizations face unique challenges as they navigate the convergence of cutting-edge IT and legacy industrial control systems (ICS). The challenge is twofold: firstly, outdated ICS technology struggles to integrate securely with contemporary IT systems. Secondly, traditional IT security solutions often fall short in the specialized environments of ICS/OT. These challenges are magnified by the reported surge in ransomware attacks on the industrial sector, spotlighting the imperative need for ICS-specific security controls.

The partnership between Swimlane and Dragos offers a promising solution to these challenges. By automating threat detection, enrichment, and response, the integration effectively reduces the mean time to respond and recover from threats. This is facilitated through a highly customizable yet user-friendly security solution that centralizes threat detection, remediation, and case management, bridging the gap between IT and OT security efforts.

“This robust integration allows industrial organizations to fortify their defenses with automated asset vulnerability management that keeps humans in the loop,” says Mike Kay, SVP of Global Partnerships at Swimlane. The initiative promises to revolutionize OT security by offering features such as centralized case management, streamlined workflows, dashboard and reporting tools, and the innovative Swimlane Turbine Canvas. This Canvas is a low-code automation studio that harnesses modular and reusable components, enabling OT experts to build custom protocols easily.

Moreover, the integration supports native Information Operations Condition (IOC) correlation, enabling a deeper analysis of persistent threats over time by cross-referencing previous similar cases. Matt Cowell, Global VP of Business Development at Dragos, emphasizes the value of this integration in speeding up the detection and recovery process from cyber threats, thereby enhancing security postures comprehensively.

In an era where industrial organizations are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyber-attacks, the collaboration between Swimlane and Dragos emerges as a beacon of hope. It exemplifies the power of synergy between organizations dedicated to the same cause—protecting the infrastructure critical to our day-to-day lives. As the threat landscape evolves, so too does the approach to cybersecurity, with this partnership paving the way for a more secure, resilient industrial future.