Nieuw Vennep, Netherlands – September 02, 2025–Portwell Europe, a leading provider of industrial-grade computing solutions, specializes in high-performance hardware for cybersecurity appliances and critical infrastructure protection. With years of experience delivering secure and reliable platforms for firewalls, network security gateways, and edge computing, Portwell now joins forces with Edge-SDN to launch Edge-Shield—a next-generation solution that addresses the evolving cybersecurity challenges in industrial OT environments.
Edge-SDN is an innovative solution focused on Software-Defined Networking (SDN) for industrial operations. Their Edge-Shield appliance provides a dynamic and regulation-ready approach to securing OEM and system integrator environments, ensuring compliance with Europe’s most stringent cybersecurity standards.
The Challenge
Cybercrime is on the rise in the manufacturing sector, and industrial environments are under pressure to comply with evolving standards, including:
- Outdated and unpatchable devices
- Lack of segmentation and traffic control
- Unsecured local or remote access
- Growing integration with IT systems such as MES, ERP, and cloud platforms
These vulnerabilities create serious risks—not just to data, but to the safety, continuity, and integrity of industrial operations.
The Problem
Industrial machine manufacturers and system integrators face increasing pressure to ensure that cybersecurity breaches do not:
- Compromise operational continuity under any machine condition (manual, automatic, or during maintenance)
- Endanger operators, who need to be kept just as informed about cyber risks as they are about physical ones
This requires real-time, adaptive protection—built into the machine, not added on as an afterthought.
The Solution: Edge-Shield
Edge-Shield replaces traditional border switches with a Software-Defined LAN (SD-LAN) approach tailored for industrial use. Built on Portwell’s industrial-grade, cybersecurity-ready hardware, the system provides:
- Isolation of the machine from the client’s network: All devices inside the machine are segregated and unreachable from the outside, effectively masking any existing or future vulnerabilities
- Dynamic micro-segmentation: Communication between the machine and external services is controlled and adjusted in real time based on the machine’s operating conditions, ensuring the highest level of protection at all times
- Anomaly and intrusion detection (IDS): Every communication is inspected and monitored for unusual activity. Alerts are displayed directly on the HMI, keeping operators aware
- Full traffic logging: All interactions are recorded for complete visibility and traceability
How to Do It
Deploying Edge-Shield is simple. It:
- Replaces the machine’s border switch
- Is configured with specific security profiles for each operating condition (e.g., manual, automatic, maintenance)
- Integrates natively with:
- HMIs and PLCs
- Physical buttons
- Light towers
- IT tools and services
It is available in three versions to suit various deployment needs. White label options are available:
- Edge Shield C6 – Compact, fanless, 6 x 2.5GbE ports
- Edge Shield P16 – DIN/wall mount, fanless, 16 x 2.5GbE ports
- Edge Shield M3 – Modular rack, up to 26 Ethernet or optical ports
Benefits for Industrial Machine Manufacturers and System Integrators
- Compliant with all major regulations: NIS2, IEC 62443, Regulation on Machinery (EU) 2023/1230, and the EU Cyber Resilience Act
- Dynamic, condition-aware protection: Unlike a fixed firewall, Edge-Shield adjusts based on real-time machine status, for example, during secure remote maintenance
- Simple deployment: Just replace the existing border switch—no major rework needed
- Enhances machine value: Security is built in, not bolted on
Customer Benefits
- Full regulatory compliance with NIS2, IEC 62443, Regulation on Machinery (EU) 2023/1230, and EU Cyber Resilience Act
- Operational continuity, even in the face of a cyber incident
- Transparent cybersecurity: Operators stay informed via HMI alerts, just like with safety alarms
- Access to regulated markets that demand high cybersecurity standards
Portwell Europe: Your Trusted Cybersecurity Hardware Partner
At Portwell Europe, we specialize in hardware platforms for cybersecurity appliances, firewalls, and industrial protection systems, providing not just standard products but also custom design and manufacturing services tailored to customer needs. With deep expertise in industrial networking, ruggedized systems, and long-term product lifecycle support, we enable OEMs and system integrators to deploy secure, high-performance solutions with confidence.
By combining our deep expertise in hardware engineering with strong partnerships in cybersecurity, Portwell is the partner you can count on to protect and empower your industrial systems—today and for the future.
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