Secure Remote Access for Energy & Utilities OT Operational Environments

— CISO, 35-Substation Municipal Utility
Deployed across 35 substations in two weeks. Passed NERC CIP audit with zero findings on remote access controls, without the network redesign timeline we couldn't afford.

40+

Utilities Protected

Sub - 30 Min

Deployment Per Site

NERC CIP

Aligned

Zero

Network Changes

  ( ✓ NERC CIP)  (✓ IEC 62443)  (✓ NIST 800-53)

Why Electric Utilities Need Zero Trust Remote Access

With nation-state attacks escalating and NERC CIP audits intensifying, electric utilities can't wait months for network redesigns. The challenge: Traditional remote access solutions create the security gaps they're supposed to close.

Nation-State Targeting

Systematic attacks on grid infrastructure by advanced threat actors

Ransomware Incidents

Multi-million dollar operational disruptions from ransomware attacks

Lateral Movement

VPN-based access enabling ransomware spread to SCADA networks

Legacy Constraints

SCADA systems that can't be patched, air-gapped substations, and complex change control

Why Traditional Remote Access Fails Electric Utilities

VPNs and legacy remote access create the vulnerabilities they're supposed to prevent.

VPN tunnels enable ransomware lateral movement

  • Network-level access gives compromised endpoints direct paths to SCADA systems
  • Once ransomware enters the tunnel, protocol isolation doesn't exist

Deployment timelines that don't match threat reality

  • Network redesigns can require extensive change control and outage windows
  • Emergency vendor access during incidents shouldn't take weeks to provision

Tools built for IT, not OT operational constraints

  • Cloud-dependent solutions can't work with air-gapped substations
  • Agent-based tools don't support legacy systems
  • Bandwidth requirements exceed what substations can provide

How Zero Trust for OT Differs from IT ZTNA Solutions

Xona was purpose-built for the constraints electric utilities actually face: legacy SCADA that can't be patched, air-gapped substations, strict change control, and forensic audit requirements.

Deploy in minutes,
not months

  • No network changes, firewall rules, or VLAN modifications
  • No extended change control processes or operational outage windows

Protocol isolation prevents lateral movement

  • Browser-based access eliminates VPN tunnels
  • Each session is isolated at the protocol level, ransomware cannot propagate through Xona

Works with your legacy infrastructure

  • Zero software on SCADA servers, your Windows XP HMI stays unchanged
  • Supports Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, and other OT protocols natively

On-premises deployment for air-gapped sites

  • Cloud optional, not required
  • Operates in local mode when connectivity is lost

NERC CIP compliance
built in

  • Complete session recording with forensic replay capability
  • Automated compliance reporting for CIP-005, CIP-007, CIP-009

How to Secure Legacy SCADA Without System Upgrades

Electric utilities run SCADA systems that can't be easily replaced. Xona works with your operational reality.

Deploy Gateway at Substations

15-30 minutes per site
Install CSG Gateway (virtual or physical). Connects to SCADA/DCS via native OT protocols. Zero software installation on SCADA servers.

Configure Access Policies

5 minutes, one-time
Integrate with existing identity providers (Okta, Entra ID, CyberArk). Define least-privilege access by role. Enable mandatory MFA.

Users Access via Browser

Immediate

Internal teams and vendors log in through browser. No VPN client, no training. Session recording automatic for NERC CIP compliance.

How Zero Trust Works for OT and SCADA Systems

Xona brings Zero Trust architecture to OT environments while addressing the unique requirements of energy infrastructure.

Traditional Remote Access

  • VPN creates broad network access
  • Compromised endpoint can allow attacker to bypass perimeter firewalls and get access to all systems
  • Ransomware threat actors can take advantage of expanded attack surface
  • Flat network access violates least-privilege

Xona Zero Trust for OT

  • Access bound to identity, device, asset, and time
  • Users never receive flat network access
  • All sessions brokered, monitored, and recorded
  • Protocol isolation prevents lateral movement

How to Meet NERC CIP Remote Access Requirements

Xona supports and simplifies compliance with NERC CIP and other OT security frameworks by enforcing access controls by design.

CIP-005-6 (Electronic Security Perimeters)
CIP-007-6 (System Security Management)
CIP-009-6 (Recovery Plans)

CIP-003-9 (Security Management Controls)

Multi-Factor Authentication
Least-Privilege Access
Audit Evidence Generation
Protocol isolation and identity-based access controls
Complete session recording, immutable audit logs, and automated logging
On-premises deployment options supporting business continuity
Centralized policy enforcement and role‑based access governance
Mandatory MFA enforced for all remote access sessions
Role-based access control with just-in-time provisioning
Automated compliance reporting and forensic replay capability

NERC CIP

IEC 62443

NIST 800-53

How Electric Utilities Deploy Secure Remote Access

Trusted by energy and utility operators for critical infrastructure protection.

Sub - 30 Min

Deployment per substation site

94%

Reduction in standing vendor access credentials

8 min

Average emergency access approval time

75%

Reduction in NERC CIP audit preparation effort

$180K

Average annual savings from consolidating tools

Zero

Unauthorized lateral movement incidents

40+

Utilities deployed for NERC CIP compliance

60%

Reduction in truck rolls for emergency access
— CISO, 35-Substation Municipal Utility
"Deployed across 35 substations in two weeks. Passed NERC CIP audit with zero findings on remote access controls, without the network redesign timeline we couldn't afford."

See How Utilities Deploy Xona Without Downtime

Municipal utilities, IOUs, and co-ops trust Xona for emergency response, vendor access governance, and continuous NERC CIP compliance.

OT Protocols
Modbus TCP/RTU
DNP3
OPC UA / OPC DA
IEC 61850
BACnet
Profinet
SCADA / HMI
GE iFIX
Siemens WinCC
Wonderware
Rockwell FactoryTalk
Schneider EcoStruxure
ABB 800xA
Identity / PAM
Okta
Microsoft Entra ID
CyberArk
BeyondTrust
Active Directory
Ping Identity
Compliance
NERC CIP-005/007/009
IEC 62443
NIST 800-82
ISO/IEC 27001
NIS2

Who Needs Secure Remote Access for Energy Infrastructure

Built for Energy Security, Operations, Compliance, and IT Leadership Teams

OT security and engineering teams

Enforce Zero Trust without re-architecting OT networks or disrupting production.

Energy operations and IT leadership

Enable digital transformation while maintaining availability and demonstrating security maturity.

NERC CIP compliance and audit teams

Automate access governance and generate audit-ready evidence continuously.

Approved vendors and OEM partners

Access systems securely through streamlined workflows without persistent credentials.

Energy Secure Remote Access FAQs

Is Xona compliant with NERC CIP requirements?

Yes. Xona is designed to support and simplify NERC CIP compliance by enforcing identity-based access, multi-factor authentication, session recording, and centralized audit logs.

How is Xona different from VPN-based remote access?

VPNs provide broad network access and persistent trust. Xona brokers access at the asset level, eliminates standing credentials, and automatically expires access.

Can Xona secure access to legacy SCADA and OT systems?

Yes. Xona supports legacy SCADA, ICS, and industrial control systems without agents, upgrades, or network re-architecture.

Does Xona support secure third-party and vendor access?

Yes. Xona enables just-in-time, least-privilege access for vendors with full approval workflows and session recording.

Does Xona work in segmented or air-gapped environments?

Xona is designed for segmented, low-bandwidth, and operationally constrained energy environments, including isolated architectures.

How quickly can Xona be deployed at a substation or control center?

Many utilities report initial deployment in 15-30 minutes per site with zero network changes. No firewall modifications, VLAN changes, or routing updates required. Broader rollouts depend on your change control processes and governance requirements, but the technology itself deploys rapidly without operational disruption.

Does Xona work with legacy SCADA systems running older operating systems?

Yes. Xona is browser-based, meaning zero software is installed on SCADA servers or HMIs. Your Windows XP systems, legacy RTUs, and older PLCs remain completely unchanged. Access happens through modern browsers while your critical systems stay as-is.

What happens if network connectivity is lost at a remote substation?

Xona operates in local mode during connectivity loss. Users can still access systems via local IP addressing, authentication is cached locally, and session recording syncs automatically when connectivity returns. Air-gapped and intermittently connected sites are supported natively.

How does Xona align with NERC CIP-005, CIP-007, and CIP-009 requirements?

Xona was purpose-built with NERC CIP compliance requirements:
  • CIP-005 (Electronic Security Perimeters): Protocol isolation and access controls
  • CIP-007 (System Security Management): Complete session recording and logging
  • CIP-009 (Recovery Plans): On-premises deployment options for business continuity
  • CIP-003-9 (Security Management Controls): Centralized policy enforcement and role‑based access governance 
Documentation and utility references available for audit preparation.

Does Xona replace existing OT security tools?

No. Xona complements OT visibility, monitoring, and SIEM tools by enforcing access controls and governance.

How does Xona support grid modernization and digital transformation initiatives?

Xona enables energy operators to deploy IIoT sensors, smart grid technologies, distributed energy resources, and predictive maintenance capabilities without expanding attack surface. Key benefits:
  • Enforce asset-level access controls while connecting distributed infrastructure
  • Eliminate standing credentials during digital transformation rollouts
  • Maintain NERC CIP compliance throughout modernization initiatives

Get Started with Zero Trust Remote Access for Utilities

Electric utilities face nation-state threats, NERC CIP audits, and legacy systems that can't wait for lengthy implementation timelines. See how 40+ utilities deployed Xona to secure critical infrastructure without operational disruption.

 Secure access for the systems that keep the world running.
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