Visibility Enhancement in University Facility Automation Systems

This case study outlines the efforts of a university's operational technology team to improve visibility into their building automation systems (BAS) and operational technology (OT) assets. The Facility Automation Systems (FAS) team recognized the need for a more accurate inventory of networked assets after conducting internal audits and external assessments, which revealed significant gaps. By deploying Armis, the team was able to discover thousands of previously unknown devices, including outdated equipment and anomalies in network activity. The implementation of Armis not only streamlined the identification of vulnerabilities but also allowed the team to focus on critical issues requiring immediate attention. The case study details how Armis facilitated the detection of unusual devices and provided granular data on asset conditions, ultimately enhancing the university's cybersecurity posture. The FAS team aims to leverage Armis further to automate responses based on network conditions and improve lifecycle planning for their automation devices.