Why Zero Trust Matters on the Shop Floor
Not sci-fi. Just smart security for the real world of industrial automation.
Welcome to “Demystifying Industrial Tech” – a blog that proudly explains complex technology topics in plain English. No jargon. No academic overload. Just real-world insights for real-world people. Today’s topic: Zero Trust. Yes, this time we are starting with light fare, but don't worry, we will raise the level :-)
And let’s get something straight from the start: Zero Trust isn’t about paranoia. And no, it has nothing to do with The X-Files.
It’s not about spying or mistrust. It’s about being smart in a world where everything’s connected and where security matters more than ever.
So What Is Zero Trust?
Zero Trust means exactly what it sounds like: don’t trust anything by default. Not users, not devices, not even machines already inside your network.
Every connection, every access request, every login gets verified. It’s like giving everyone a guest pass that has to be scanned every time they move to a new room.
“Never trust, always verify.”– John Kindervag, the originator of the Zero Trust security model.
Why This Matters on the Shop Floor
Factories are no longer islands. Machines are online. Engineers work from home. Service techs connect remotely. All this tech is great for productivity, but it also creates risk.
Let’s break it down with a few practical examples.
Mixed-Age Equipment
Most shop floors have a mix of new and legacy systems. New machines are better protected, but old ones may have no security at all.
Example: An engineer plugs in an old company laptop to update a machine. That laptop picked up malware at the airport Wi-Fi. Without Zero Trust, that malware can spread. With it, the infected device is limited and flagged.
Remote Access Is Everywhere
Maintenance teams, service partners, and even your own staff often connect from off-site. That convenience must be managed carefully.
Example: A vendor logs in to help with a motor. Zero Trust says, “Okay, but only that motor. And only during this session and for this task.”
People Make Mistakes
Even the best staff hit the wrong button now and then.
Example: Someone changes a setting and exposes a system to the internet. With Zero Trust in place, the exposure is spotted, blocked, and logged.
How Zero Trust Works Day-to-Day
Here’s how it shows up in real life:
Logging in needs a password and a second check (like a phone code)
People only get access to what they need and not the whole network
The network is divided into smaller pieces so problems stay contained
Everything is quietly monitored in the background
It’s simple. And powerful.
Getting Started (Without Overthinking It)
You don’t need a You don’t need a huge budget or a complex setup to get started. Start small:
List your connected devices. Know what’s on your network.
Pick a critical system. Maybe your remote login setup or a cloud-connected PLC.
Use multi-factor login. It’s easy and instantly makes things safer.
Give limited access. No one gets “all access” just because it’s easier.
Turn on monitoring. Even simple logging can help catch issues early.
Final Thoughts
Zero Trust is not about fear or complexity. It’s about control, clarity, and peace of mind.
In connected factories, you can’t afford to assume everything is safe. With Zero Trust, you don’t have to. You check. You verify. You stay in charge.
And remember, this blog isn’t about complex whitepapers or academic theories. It’s about giving you the knowledge you need, in a way that actually makes sense. Feel free to write me which buzzword you always wanted to have explained and any other feedback.