Network Documentation

Network Documentation is important for operational clarity in organizations managing operational technology (OT) environments. It involves a systematic approach to recording the details of network infrastructure, including configurations, connections, and the roles of various components within OT systems such as:

• Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
• Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
• Industrial IoT systems (IIoT)
• Building Automation Systems

Our service meticulously catalogs every aspect of an organization’s network infrastructure, ensuring a comprehensive understanding that is essential for effective management, resiliency, security, and compliance.

Our Approach

Our approach starts with meeting compliance requirements, but it also aims to greatly improve your operations. This groundwork helps prepare you for future projects by giving you a clear picture of your current network setup.

Creating detailed documentation early on is key to preventing issues that could disrupt operations and trigger excessive alarms from anomaly detection systems, optimizing both cost and efficiency.

Our Network Documentation process involves several critical steps and components that allow for passive information collection, ensuring accuracy without interfering with network operations.

Comprehensive Asset Inventory

We document every device within the OT environment, including asset names, IP addresses, MAC addresses, and physical connections. This inventory covers every item with an IP address, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Software Inventory and Management

Our team compiles a detailed list of all applications installed on network-connected computers, including managing licenses and software versions. This allows organizations to quickly identify if they are affected by software vulnerabilities or compliance issues.

Communication and Data Flow Mapping

We map both approved and unknown communications within and beyond the OT network, including internal data flows and external connections through firewalls. This includes creating a data flow register and workbook, providing clear visibility into data movements within and between security zones.

Physical and Logical Network Diagrams

Our documentation includes both physical and logical network diagrams. These diagrams show how devices are interconnected, including switches, routers, and other network devices, without impacting operations. This method allows for the identification of gaps and provides solutions for enhancing network integrity.

Detailed Control System Equipment Registers

For automation systems, we detail the IP connections from the control system to each physical component, akin to a line diagram in electrical engineering. This shows every IP connection , including those to remote I/O, junction boxes, and terminal instruments, providing a complete picture of the data flow and control logic.

Sanitized Diagrams for Security

We produce sanitized versions of network diagrams to ensure security while allowing for essential visibility and planning.

Commitment to Operational Integrity

This detailed approach ensures that your organization has a precise, actionable understanding of its network infrastructure, facilitating improved security, resiliency, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Armexa is dedicated to delivering this essential service with the accuracy and attention to detail that your operations demand.

Contact us to discuss how we can assist in documenting and securing your OT network infrastructure.