As industrial networks become increasingly connected, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern, it is critical to operational continuity, safety, and compliance. Modern manufacturing and infrastructure environments rely on secure communication between PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, remote maintenance platforms, and connected devices. Without the right protection in place, these systems can become vulnerable to cyberattacks, unauthorised access, and network disruption.
By combining the capabilities of the FL SWITCH 2105, FL MGUARD 2102, and FL TIMESERVER NTP, Phoenix Contact provides a powerful foundation for secure and reliable industrial communication networks.
Together, these solutions help industrial operators build resilient infrastructures that support secure connectivity, protected remote access, and accurate time synchronisation, all essential elements of a modern cybersecurity strategy.
Building a Secure Industrial Network Foundation
Industrial cybersecurity starts with a reliable network architecture. The FL SWITCH 2105 acts as the backbone of the local industrial Ethernet network, connecting automation devices, controllers, HMIs, and edge equipment across the production environment.
Designed for industrial applications, the managed switch delivers stable and dependable data communication while simplifying network deployment. Its compact DIN rail design makes it ideal for machine-level networking and control cabinet integration.
Within a cybersecurity-focused architecture, the switch provides:
- Stable industrial Ethernet communication
- Segmentation of automation devices and machine networks
- Reliable data transfer between operational technology (OT) devices
- Simplified integration into secure network infrastructures
A secure network begins with dependable communication. By ensuring consistent connectivity between devices, the FL SWITCH 2105 forms the first layer of operational resilience.
Securing Remote Access and Network Traffic
While connectivity is essential, protecting that communication is even more important. This is where the FL MGUARD 2102 plays a central role.
The FL MGUARD 2102 is an industrial security router designed specifically for secure remote maintenance and industrial network protection. It combines firewall functionality, VPN technology, and network segmentation capabilities within a compact industrial device. Phoenix Contact states that the router includes VPN support, NAT functionality, and IEC 62443-4-2 cybersecurity certification.
Key cybersecurity features include:
- Stateful packet inspection firewall
- Secure VPN communication using IPsec
- Protection against spoofing and denial-of-service attacks
- Network segmentation and NAT functionality
- Encrypted remote access for maintenance engineers
- IEC 62443-4-2 certified industrial security
The router helps manufacturers safely connect machines and remote systems without exposing critical OT infrastructure directly to external networks.
This becomes particularly important as remote diagnostics and remote maintenance continue to grow across industrial environments. Instead of opening unsecured remote desktop connections or exposing PLCs directly to the internet, the FL MGUARD 2102 creates a protected communication tunnel between authorised users and industrial equipment.
In practice, this means engineers can securely access equipment for diagnostics, updates, and troubleshooting while significantly reducing cybersecurity risk.
Why Secure Time Synchronisation Matters
One often overlooked aspect of cybersecurity is accurate and secure time synchronisation.
The FL TIMESERVER NTP provides highly accurate network time synchronisation using GNSS satellite systems including GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou. Phoenix Contact confirms the device supports NTPv4 and NTS, delivering secure time services across Ethernet networks.
Accurate time synchronisation is essential for:
- Security event logging
- Audit trails
- Network diagnostics
- Incident investigation
- Coordinated automation processes
- Compliance and traceability
If timestamps across devices are inconsistent, identifying cybersecurity incidents becomes far more difficult. Event correlation, forensic analysis, and system diagnostics all rely on synchronised timestamps.
Research has shown that attacks against unsecured time synchronisation systems can disrupt critical network operations and create vulnerabilities within industrial environments.
By supporting Network Time Security, the FL TIMESERVER NTP helps protect against manipulation or spoofing of time data, an increasingly important consideration within critical infrastructure and industrial systems.
How These Devices Work Together
Individually, each product delivers important functionality. Together, they create a layered cybersecurity approach for industrial environments.
A typical deployment could include:
- The FL SWITCH 2105 connecting PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, and industrial devices within the machine or production network.
- The FL MGUARD 2102 securing traffic entering and leaving the industrial network using VPN encryption, firewall protection, and network segmentation.
- The FL TIMESERVER NTP distributing accurate and secure timestamps across all connected devices to support diagnostics, logging, and compliance.
This layered approach aligns with industrial cybersecurity best practices by combining:
- Network reliability
- Secure remote access
- Protected communication
- Accurate event logging
- Infrastructure resilience
Together, the solutions help reduce attack surfaces while improving visibility and operational security.
Supporting IEC 62443 and Industrial Cybersecurity Strategies
Industrial operators are increasingly expected to align with recognised cybersecurity frameworks such as IEC 62443.
The FL MGUARD 2102’s IEC 62443-4-2 certification demonstrates that Phoenix Contact has designed the device with industrial cybersecurity requirements in mind.
Combined with secure time synchronisation and resilient industrial networking, these products support a defence-in-depth strategy that helps organisations:
- Improve cybersecurity posture
- Reduce operational risk
- Protect critical infrastructure
- Support compliance initiatives
- Enable secure digital transformation
As industrial environments continue to evolve, cybersecurity must become part of the network architecture from the start, not an afterthought. With legislation changing on its current path, it will be mandatory that you make your system and components compliant for cybersecurity in 2027/2028.
Understanding where you stand and what steps to take next can be challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone, get in touch today.