Mitsubishi Electric Develops New OT Security Solution to Strengthen Industrial Equipment Cybersecurity
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced the development of a new operational technology (OT) security solution designed to enhance cybersecurity for industrial equipment and manufacturing environments. The company is leveraging the advanced OT cybersecurity technologies of Nozomi Networks, Inc., a US-based cybersecurity company that became a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric in January 2026. The new solution aims to help industrial equipment manufacturers strengthen their security measures while enabling end users to operate industrial facilities and equipment more safely, securely, and reliably.
The solution is scheduled for commercial launch during the fiscal year ending in March 2028. It will be introduced as an extension of Nozomi Arc™, expanding the platform’s capabilities to address cybersecurity challenges associated with industrial equipment and connected operational environments.
Growing Importance of OT Cybersecurity in Industrial Operations
The rapid adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital transformation across manufacturing and critical infrastructure industries has increased the importance of operational technology security. Industrial facilities are becoming more interconnected as manufacturers integrate digital systems, connected devices, controllers, and automated equipment into their operations. While these technologies can improve productivity, efficiency, and operational visibility, they also introduce additional cybersecurity risks.
Operational technology includes the hardware and software systems responsible for monitoring, controlling, and managing industrial processes. These systems play a critical role in manufacturing plants, infrastructure facilities, and other industrial environments. A cybersecurity incident affecting OT systems can disrupt production, compromise equipment performance, and potentially affect the safety and reliability of industrial operations.
As industrial organizations continue to modernize their facilities, protecting OT environments has become essential to maintaining business continuity. Manufacturers must ensure that connected equipment and industrial control systems remain protected against malware, unauthorized access, suspicious communications, and other emerging cyber threats.
Regulatory Requirements Drive Demand for Stronger Security
In addition to growing cybersecurity risks, regulatory requirements and industry standards are encouraging manufacturers to strengthen the security of industrial equipment. Regulations such as the European Cyber Resilience Act are increasing the focus on cybersecurity throughout the lifecycle of products with digital elements.
These developments are creating greater demand for security solutions that can help manufacturers identify potential vulnerabilities, monitor equipment behavior, and implement appropriate protective measures. Industrial equipment manufacturers are increasingly expected to consider cybersecurity as an integral part of product development and equipment management rather than treating it as a separate IT responsibility.
However, implementing effective cybersecurity measures in industrial environments can be challenging. Manufacturing facilities often contain a wide range of equipment, devices, and control systems supplied by different vendors. These assets may operate using different communication protocols, software configurations, and security mechanisms, making it difficult to establish a consistent view of the entire operational environment.
Monitoring the status of individual assets, analyzing communications, and identifying abnormal behavior can therefore require significant effort. Limited visibility into connected industrial equipment may also make it harder for organizations to detect potential threats at an early stage and respond before they affect operations.
Integrating Security Capabilities Directly into Industrial Equipment
Mitsubishi Electric’s newly developed OT security solution is designed to address these challenges by integrating Nozomi Arc’s monitoring capabilities directly into industrial equipment, including Mitsubishi Electric’s controller products.
By bringing security functions closer to the equipment being protected, the solution is intended to support more effective monitoring and threat detection within industrial environments. Its capabilities include USB monitoring, malware detection, quarantine and removal, and software management.
USB monitoring can help organizations oversee the use of removable storage devices, which may introduce malware or other security risks when connected to industrial equipment. Monitoring these devices can support better control over how data and software are transferred into operational environments.
Malware detection is another key feature of the solution. Identifying malicious software can help manufacturers recognize potential threats that could compromise industrial equipment or interfere with normal operations. The inclusion of quarantine and removal capabilities is intended to support the isolation and handling of detected threats, helping reduce the risk of further impact on affected equipment.
Software management capabilities are also expected to contribute to stronger equipment security by supporting the management of software within industrial environments. Maintaining better oversight of software is an important part of managing cybersecurity risks, particularly in facilities where multiple devices and controllers must operate reliably over extended periods.
Together, these functions are designed to help equipment manufacturers and end users improve their ability to monitor and manage cybersecurity risks associated with industrial assets.
Combining Mitsubishi Electric’s Industrial Expertise with Nozomi Networks’ Technology
The development of the new solution reflects Mitsubishi Electric’s strategy of combining its industrial automation expertise with Nozomi Networks’ specialized OT cybersecurity technologies.
Mitsubishi Electric has an established presence in industrial automation and control systems, while Nozomi Networks focuses on cybersecurity solutions for operational technology and connected industrial environments. The integration of their capabilities provides a foundation for developing security features tailored to the needs of industrial equipment manufacturers and facility operators.
Nozomi Networks became a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric in January 2026. This acquisition provides Mitsubishi Electric with access to Nozomi Networks’ cybersecurity technologies and expertise, supporting the development of solutions that address the growing convergence of industrial automation and cybersecurity.
Embedding security capabilities into industrial equipment can also help bring cybersecurity considerations closer to equipment design, deployment, and maintenance. This approach may support manufacturers seeking to strengthen product security while helping end users improve visibility into potential threats affecting their facilities.
Supporting Safer and More Reliable Industrial Environments
The new OT security solution is intended to benefit both industrial equipment manufacturers and the organizations that operate industrial facilities. Manufacturers can use integrated security capabilities to support stronger cybersecurity measures in their products, while end users can benefit from improved monitoring and threat-management capabilities.
As industrial operations become increasingly connected, cybersecurity is becoming an important factor in maintaining equipment availability, protecting production processes, and supporting reliable facility operations. Solutions that combine equipment-level monitoring with malware detection and software management can help organizations address some of the challenges associated with securing complex OT environments.
Mitsubishi Electric plans to commercialize the solution as an extension of Nozomi Arc during the fiscal year ending in March 2028. The planned launch represents another step in the company’s efforts to apply advanced cybersecurity technologies to industrial automation and equipment protection.
With the continued expansion of IoT and digital transformation across manufacturing and critical infrastructure, demand for integrated OT security solutions is expected to remain an important consideration for industrial organizations. Through its collaboration with Nozomi Networks, Mitsubishi Electric aims to help equipment manufacturers and end users strengthen cybersecurity, improve operational resilience, and maintain safer and more reliable industrial operations.
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