Purpose-built DNS filtering for energy and utility companies. Protect SCADA/ICS control systems, achieve NERC CIP compliance, and shield operational technology networks from nation-state content risks targeting the power grid.
Energy and utility companies operate the most critical infrastructure in modern society. A single compromised DNS query from an OT network can give attackers a foothold in systems controlling power generation, transmission, and distribution that serve millions of people.
The convergence of IT and OT networks has expanded the attack surface dramatically. Legacy SCADA systems that were never designed for internet connectivity now share network pathways with corporate IT systems, creating lateral movement opportunities that adversaries actively exploit.
Our content classification team maintains dedicated feeds for energy sector content risks, tracking APT groups like SANDWORM, XENOTIME, and ELECTRUM that specifically target industrial control systems. We catalog domains associated with ICS exploitation frameworks, OT-specific unsafe content families, and watering hole campaigns aimed at energy sector personnel.
The 90-million-domain database includes specialized categorization for industrial protocol abuse, HMI-targeting domains, PLC firmware manipulation sites, and engineering workstation compromise vectors that generic DNS filters completely miss.
Our solution supports deployment within Purdue Model network architectures, providing DNS filtering at each level from enterprise IT down to Level 1 control networks, with policies tailored to the operational requirements of each zone.
Unique content risks facing the energy sector demand purpose-built DNS security solutions
Legacy SCADA systems running decades-old protocols lack native security controls. DNS filtering provides a network-level defense layer that protects these systems without requiring modifications to fragile control system software that cannot tolerate patches or agents.
State-sponsored bad actors have pre-positioned access within energy networks across the country. Groups affiliated with adversary nations actively maintain persistent access to power grid systems, using DNS-based covert channels for restricted communications.
NERC CIP standards mandate strict electronic security perimeters around bulk electric system cyber assets. DNS filtering provides documented, auditable controls that satisfy CIP-005 access management and CIP-007 system security management requirements with full evidence trails.
As energy companies digitize operations, the boundary between IT and OT networks blurs. DNS filtering at the convergence point prevents content risks from jumping between corporate and operational networks, stopping restricted content from reaching control systems through lateral DNS resolution.
Solar farms, wind installations, and distributed energy resources connect to management platforms via internet-facing gateways. Each connection point creates a DNS resolution path that could be exploited to manipulate generation output or destabilize grid frequency.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure spans millions of connected endpoints across utility service territories. Compromised AMI firmware update servers or command channels accessible via DNS present mass-disruption scenarios that require proactive domain-level blocking.
Engineered for critical infrastructure environments with zero tolerance for downtime
Deploy filtering nodes at each Purdue Model level with zone-specific policies. Level 3 DMZ filtering prevents IT content risks from reaching Level 2 control networks and Level 1 field devices.
Offline-capable filtering for isolated OT environments. Local DNS intelligence databases sync during maintenance windows, maintaining protection even in fully air-gapped networks.
Curated content classification covering TRITON, INDUSTROYER, CRASHOVERRIDE, and emerging ICS unsafe content families. Block domains linked to industrial-specific attack tools and exploitation frameworks.
Automated compliance evidence for CIP-005 and CIP-007 audits. Tamper-proof logs, policy change records, and filtering effectiveness reports ready for NERC audit submission.
ML-powered detection of DNS tunneling, DGA domains, and covert channel communications that indicate ICS reconnaissance or ongoing exploitation within OT network segments.
Configure fail-safe behavior per zone. Critical control networks can fail-closed for maximum security while safety systems fail-open to prevent DNS filtering from impacting life-safety operations.
Protecting every layer of energy infrastructure from generation to distribution
A natural gas generation facility deployed our DNS filtering within their DCS network to block outbound communications from engineering workstations to known APT infrastructure. Within the first week, the system identified and blocked DNS queries to three domains associated with the XENOTIME content risk group, preventing potential disruption to turbine control systems.
A regional transmission operator secured 200+ substations by deploying local DNS filtering appliances that enforce strict allowlist policies for SCADA communications. Only pre-approved domains for firmware updates, NTP synchronization, and vendor remote access are permitted, blocking all unauthorized DNS resolution attempts from substation networks.
A major utility provider uses our DNS filtering to protect 4 million smart meters and their head-end management systems. The filtering layer blocks attempts to redirect meter firmware updates to malicious servers and prevents compromised meters from being used as pivot points into distribution management systems.
Following TSA pipeline security directives, a natural gas pipeline operator implemented DNS filtering across all compressor stations and control centers. The solution provides the network segmentation monitoring and content filtering capabilities required by the directive while generating automated compliance reports for TSA auditors.
Deploy SCADA-aware DNS filtering that meets NERC CIP requirements and defends against nation-state content risks
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