#Cybersecurity #Denmark #Copenhagen #Remote Access #Secomea

Enhancing Remote Access to Operational Technology: The Secomea Perspective

Manufacturers around the world are facing a dual challenge: improving remote access to operational technologies (OT) while ensuring the security and governance of that access. According to the latest insights from Secomea, the industrial sector is making strides in enhancing remote connectivity but still struggles with effectively managing third-party access to these systems.

As cybersecurity threats intensify, especially with a rise in ransomware attacks targeting industrial operations, manufacturers have recognized the urgent need to bolster their cybersecurity measures. Knud Kegel, CTPO of Secomea, notes that while there has been considerable investment in secure remote access systems, managing who can enter these systems remains a significant gap. With the increase in the digital ecosystem of suppliers and stringent regulations emphasizing accountability, merely enabling remote access is insufficient.

The recently published report “State of Industrial Remote Access 2026” from Secomea draws attention to a growing disparity between operational pace and third-party access management in manufacturing environments. The study reveals that in North America, a significant 57% of organizations manage access from six or more external suppliers, highlighting a heavy reliance on third-party support. However, only 46% of these organizations report having complete audit capabilities for remote supplier sessions, showcasing a lack of visibility into who accesses their systems and whether this access is still needed.

One alarming finding from the report is that only 23% of surveyed companies conduct regular reviews of supplier credentials, typically monthly or more frequently, contributing to an environment where unauthorized access can easily slip through the cracks. Furthermore, the research depicts that organizations practicing shared responsibility for remote access between IT and OT divisions experience fewer security incidents than those where accountability rests with a single area, stressing the important link between governance and technology in safeguarding operational integrity.

Effective third-party access management must extend beyond just securing connectivity; it requires robust identity verification, implementing least privilege access, managing just-in-time access for suppliers, centralized approval workflows, comprehensive session audits, and rapid revocation of access post-completion of tasks. Kegel emphasizes that manufacturers do not need to reduce the number of suppliers but rather enhance their management of supplier access, stating, “The most resilient organizations will be those that can enable connectivity while maintaining visibility, accountability, and control.”

The survey also points toward a shift in the sector, with over 75% of North American organizations preferring a standardized platform to manage supplier access. This suggests a move away from fragmented VPNs and vendor-specific remote access tools to centralized management models, indicating a trend toward streamlined, efficient governance practices.

Secomea advocates that manufacturers should critically evaluate their remote access strategies, focusing on essential components:

• - Identity-based access management for each supplier and contractor.
• - Just-in-time access instead of persistent remote connections.
• - Centralized approval workflows that integrate both IT and OT.
• - Thorough audit logs for all remote sessions.
• - Regular credential reviews and automatic access revocation features.
• - Rapid suspension or restriction capabilities during cyber incidents.

The complete findings are elaborated in the “State of Industrial Remote Access 2026” report, detailing how manufacturers and critical infrastructure organizations navigate remote supplier access, governance, visibility, adoption of Zero Trust principles, and operational resilience in the United States and Europe.

About Secomea

Secomea is a secure remote access solution specifically designed for industrial networks and operational technology systems. Over 8,000 machine manufacturers and builders worldwide rely on Secomea to securely connect people, systems, and machines, ensuring operational continuity and control. By helping organizations manage supplier access and implement zero trust principles, Secomea enhances visibility into remote OT access activities, promoting secure collaboration across the manufacturing ecosystem. Secomea has recently received recognition as a leading provider in the Cyber Processing Systems Remote Access category in Gartner's 2026 Hype Cycle report for CPS Security.