Transcript:
[0m:00s] Hey, this is Mitchell. Welcome to another video in the RSP Education Series. Imagine trying to send sensitive data across the internet without protection—like mailing blueprints of your factory in a clear envelope. Anyone along the way could see or steal them. That’s where VPNs come in. Think of them as secure armored delivery trucks that drive through private tunnels only you and your team can access. In this video, we’re exploring how virtual private networks, or VPNs, are used in industrial automation to protect critical systems—from PLCs and HMIs to SCADA platforms and cloud-connected sensors. We’ll also show you how the Sierra Wireless AirLink XR60 supports industrial VPN applications and why it’s becoming a go-to solution for secure remote connectivity. If you like this kind of content and want more educational videos, please like and subscribe. This video is for educational purposes only. Always consult a professional for your application. RSP Supply is not liable for any misuse of this information. With that said, let’s get right into it.
[1m:05s] Think of a VPN like a secure delivery truck—only authorized people can load it, and it travels on a private highway that no one else can see. A virtual private network, or VPN, creates a secure, encrypted connection between devices over the internet or private networks. It’s like a private tunnel for your data. In industrial automation, keeping data secure is critical. VPNs protect systems such as PLCs and SCADA from cyber threats, unauthorized access, and data leaks. OpenVPN and IPSec are two of the most common VPN protocols used in industrial settings because they offer strong encryption and flexibility across different network types.
[1m:45s] VPNs are used across a variety of industrial devices and platforms. In industrial routers and firewalls, VPNs establish site-to-site connections between factories and headquarters. These devices provide secure remote access to PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems. In PLCs and industrial controllers, modern platforms often have built-in VPN clients or tunneling support, allowing engineers to perform remote programming and diagnostics securely using software like TIA Portal or TwinCAT. HMIs and SCADA systems use VPNs to enable operators to monitor and control processes from off-site locations without exposing the network to outside threats. Industrial PCs and edge gateways also rely on VPNs. These ruggedized computers are deployed in control rooms or in the field to pre-process and transmit data securely to enterprise or cloud systems. They host VPN clients that protect data moving between the plant floor and higher-level systems such as MES or ERP. Cellular modems and gateways—like 4G and 5G devices—use built-in VPNs for secure remote access to equipment in the field, connecting RTUs, sensors, and pumps to central SCADA systems over cellular networks.
[3m:37s] VPNs are also critical in cloud and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms. Cloud-based systems often support VPN connections for secure data ingestion, while edge-to-cloud frameworks use tunneling to safely send operational data for analysis or predictive maintenance. On the engineering side, laptops and workstations configured with OpenVPN or similar clients let technicians securely access PLCs, distributed control systems, or robotic controllers for programming, maintenance, and diagnostics.
[4m:22s] Industrial VPN appliances—dedicated hardware designed for secure remote access and network isolation—are used in critical infrastructure where reliability is paramount. VPN concentrators, for instance, isolate OT networks from IT networks while providing managed access for authorized personnel. However, VPNs are not typically found in legacy fieldbus devices such as Profibus or Modbus RTU sensors, which rely on local, serial-based communication methods that do not use internet-style networking.
[5m:04s] Here’s the bottom line. VPNs are essential for securing remote access and protecting data across industrial systems. Whether you’re programming a PLC from another state, viewing SCADA dashboards from home, or sending data from an edge device to the cloud, VPNs ensure those connections remain private, encrypted, and safe. We looked at how VPNs appear in routers, PLCs, HMIs, cloud gateways, and cellular modems—and how solutions like the Sierra Wireless AirLink XR60 support protocols like OpenVPN and IPSec to keep your infrastructure secure and accessible. That wraps up our overview of VPNs: where they’re found, where they aren’t, and how they’re used. For a full line of routers, including the AirLink XR60, and hundreds of thousands of other industrial automation products, visit our website at RSPSupply.com, the internet’s top source for industrial hardware.