IT & Cybersecurity Services

Avanti Control Systems Inc. provides a comprehensive suite of IT services designed to optimize organizational performance while ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure. These services are tailored to meet the needs of Industrial, Water and Waste Water treatment plants.

Core IT Offerings

• Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance: Avanti’s services focus on designing, implementing, and maintaining IT systems that align with organizational goals. This includes architecture design, system integration, and performance optimization, ensuring reliability and scalability.
• Remote Work Enablement: Avanti provides secure remote access solutions, critical for modern distributed workforces. These solutions include encrypted connections and user authentication protocols, protecting against vulnerabilities in public networks like those in cafes or hotels.
• Data Management: Beyond basic storage and retrieval, Avanti emphasizes best practices for data governance, ensuring efficient handling, compliance with regulatory standards, and seamless data integration across platforms.

Infrastructure Management

• High-Performance Servers: Dedicated servers for data processing and storage, optimized for high-volume operations and rapid response times.
• Networks: Avanti is a partner or distributor of industry leading network equipment from vendors like Cisco, Cisco Meraki, SonicWall, El Pro, CradlePoint and Allied Telesys.

These components ensure robust IT operations, with a focus on uptime, performance, and adaptability to client needs.

Cybersecurity Framework

Avanti Control Systems Inc. employs a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect digital assets, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with industry standards. The framework is built on proactive risk management, layered security controls, and continuous monitoring.

Risk Management and Threat Mitigation

Avanti’s cybersecurity approach is grounded in a disciplined Cyber Risk Management process:

• Asset Identification and Prioritization: Critical assets, such as sensitive data and core systems, are identified to focus protection efforts.
• Vulnerability Assessments: Regular scans and penetration testing identify weaknesses, with remediation prioritized based on risk severity.
• Security Controls: Implementation of firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and antivirus solutions to safeguard systems from external and internal threats.

Avanti’s engineers assist clients in developing cybersecurity roadmaps, selecting interoperable security technologies, and aligning protections with plant operations.

Network Security

Network security is a critical component of Avanti’s offerings:

• Firewalls and Intrusion Detection: Advanced firewalls and IDS solutions monitor and filter network traffic, providing real-time alerts for suspicious activity.
• Access Controls: Role-based access control (RBAC) and two-factor authentication (2FA) ensure that only authorized users access sensitive resources, adhering to the principle of least privilege and zero trust.

Logging and Monitoring

Avanti’s logging and monitoring capabilities ensure rapid detection and response to security incidents:

• Comprehensive Logging: Event logs, audit logs, fault logs, and administrator/operator logs are stored on a secure server with restricted access.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Automated tools analyze logs for anomalies, such as unauthorized access attempts or unusual account behavior.
• Audit Trails: Detailed logs for update and delete operations are available to clients, ensuring transparency and compliance with auditing requirements.

Patch Management and Vulnerability Remediation

Avanti prioritizes proactive vulnerability management:

• Automated Patching: Third-party libraries are updated to the latest secure versions after engineering review, minimizing exposure to known vulnerabilities.
• Vulnerability Scans: Regular scans identify missing patches or misconfigurations, with remediation prioritized within 24-48 hours of vulnerability disclosure.
• Threat Intelligence Integration: Avanti leverages external threat intelligence to stay ahead of emerging threats, ensuring rapid response to zero-day vulnerabilities.

Compliance and Auditing

Avanti ensures compliance with industry standards through rigorous processes:

• Access Reviews: Access to production environments is reviewed every year, with annual onsite audits to verify compliance with best practices.
• Regulatory Alignment: Avanti supports compliance with standards required by various government agencies, providing guidance to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

The evolving threat landscape presents challenges, such as those seen in recent VPN-related incidents Avanti mitigates these risks by:

• Limiting outbound connections and using low-privilege accounts for authentication.
• Implementing rapid patching protocols to address vulnerabilities promptly.
• Conducting regular security audits to identify and close gaps in configurations.

Avanti Guardia

Avanti Control Systems Inc. offers an industry leading Remote Managment and Remote Maintenance program. Featuring EDR, 24/7 SOC, Backup and Recovery, Patch Managment, Avanti Guardia is the "Forward Guard" that can protect your SCADA systems from bad actors. See more by clicking here