Industrial and manufacturing companies face unique remote work challenges. Unlike office-based businesses, you must secure remote access for engineering teams, enable vendor connectivity for equipment support, and protect operational technology from network-based threats - all while maintaining production uptime.
Key takeaway: According to the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, 38% of data breaches involve compromised credentials - more than double the breaches using phishing or exploitation. For industrial operations with remote access, securing credentials through MFA and zero trust architecture is critical.
Need secure remote work infrastructure? Preferred Data designs and implements remote access solutions for North Carolina industrial companies. Call (336) 886-3282 or schedule your assessment.
Remote Access Challenges for Industrial Companies
North Carolina manufacturers and industrial firms must support multiple remote access scenarios:
Remote Office Workers
- Engineering, accounting, sales, and management staff working from home
- Access to ERP, file shares, and business applications
- Standard IT security requirements
Field Service Personnel
- Technicians accessing documentation and systems from customer sites
- Mobile device management and secure connectivity
- Often using cellular networks
Vendor and Contractor Access
- Equipment vendors requiring remote access for maintenance and support
- Temporary project contractors needing limited system access
- Third-party managed service providers
OT Remote Access
- Engineering access to production systems
- Remote monitoring and troubleshooting
- Highest security requirements due to safety implications
Building Secure Remote Infrastructure
Effective remote work infrastructure for industrial companies includes multiple layers:
Identity and Access Management
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access
- Role-based access controls limiting permissions to job requirements
- Privileged access management for administrative accounts
- Regular access reviews and prompt deprovisioning
Network Security
- VPN with strong encryption for remote connectivity
- Network segmentation separating IT and OT environments
- Firewall rules restricting lateral movement
- Intrusion detection and monitoring
Endpoint Security
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR) on all devices
- Device compliance checking before network access
- Mobile device management for company and BYOD devices
- Regular patching and vulnerability management
Explore Preferred Data's network infrastructure services
Zero Trust for Manufacturing
Zero trust architecture assumes no user or device should be automatically trusted, even inside the network. For Charlotte and Piedmont Triad manufacturers, zero trust principles provide stronger security than traditional perimeter defenses.
Key zero trust principles:
- Verify explicitly - authenticate every access request
- Least privilege access - grant minimum permissions needed
- Assume breach - design systems expecting compromise
Zero trust is particularly valuable for OT environments where compromised credentials could impact production safety.
Protecting OT Remote Access
Operational technology remote access requires special consideration. Production systems control physical processes where security failures can cause safety incidents, not just data breaches.
OT remote access best practices:
- Dedicated jump servers for OT access
- Session recording and monitoring
- Time-limited access windows
- Separate credentials from IT systems
- Real-time alerting on suspicious activity
Greensboro and Raleigh manufacturers with connected production environments should treat OT remote access as a critical security control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VPN enough for secure remote access?
VPN provides encrypted connectivity but is not sufficient alone. You also need MFA, endpoint security, access controls, and monitoring. Many breaches occur through compromised VPN credentials that lack MFA protection.
How do we manage vendor remote access securely?
Implement dedicated vendor access portals with MFA, session recording, and time-limited credentials. Preferred Data helps manufacturers establish vendor access policies and technical controls that balance security with operational needs.
What about employees using personal devices?
BYOD policies should require minimum security standards: current OS versions, endpoint protection, screen locks, and encryption. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions can enforce policies and enable remote wipe if devices are lost.
Secure Your Remote Workforce
Hybrid work is permanent for North Carolina industrial companies. Engineering talent expects remote flexibility, vendor support models require connectivity, and distributed operations demand secure access.
Preferred Data has helped Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, and Raleigh industrial companies implement secure remote work since well before the pandemic accelerated adoption. We understand manufacturing operations and can design solutions that work for your environment.
Get your free remote access assessment:
- Phone: (336) 886-3282
- Email: Contact us
- Address: 1208 Eastchester Drive, Suite 131, High Point, NC 27265
On-site support throughout North Carolina and within 200 miles of High Point.
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