Water networks are evolving and integrating an increasing number of connected devices. In this context, operators’ daily work is also changing, with ever-growing technical and organizational challenges.
In terms of telemetry, the stakes now go beyond the simple installation and maintenance of remote stations: operators must also regularly update the software versions and security certificates of their SOFREL S4TH devices to comply with rising cybersecurity standards.
To address these new needs, LACROIX has developed a centralized IIoT platform that automates certificate renewal and software updates across all SOFREL S4TH telemetry networks — saving both time and improving security for operators.
Automating cybersecurity and simplifying the management of SOFREL S4 controlers Networks
The new centralization platform, LX CONNECT, enhances the S4 product and software offering with key features:
- Cybersecurity Automation: Automated renewal of S4 certificates and the ecosystem, streamlining cybersecurity processes
- Advanced Remote Management: Comprehensive management of a remote management network, providing access to dashboards showcasing the network’s performance in terms of communication and deployed versions across sites
Download the LX Connect documentation
Automatic renewal of certificates
At installation, each S4 product or application within the S4 ecosystem must receive a certificate generated from a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This certificate serves as a secure digital passport for the product or application on the network, with a validity period set between 2 to 3 years (in line with ANSSI recommendations).
The LX CONNECT platform monitors the validity period of certificates on a daily basis and regenerates certificates from the Microsoft PKI before they expire. LX CONNECT then connects to the S4 products and applications, ensuring they have successfully incorporated the new certificates. This certificate management constraint becomes transparent for the administrator.
Dashboards are available to verify that the platform is effectively fulfilling its role in renewing certificates. Additionally, mass renewal campaigns can be scheduled from the platform
Simplified management of a SOFREL telemetry network
The dashboards provided by the LX CONNECT platform offer the administrator a clear view of deployed versions, the operational status of S4, and the performance of communications. A campaign module allows for the centralized planning of massive updates to S4 software and corrective versions.
LX CONNECT simplifies the update process for a remote management network and ensures a high level of cybersecurity.
2 LX CONNECT Offerings
LX CONNECT EDGE
A straightforward software offering designed for deployment in a hypervisor environment (Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware, VirtualBox), limited to managing 500 S4.
LX CONNECT PREM
A comprehensive software offering for operators managing large-scale remote management networks or those already transitioning to a cloud-based architecture. This software is deployed on AWS or Microsoft Azure platforms, leveraging all the benefits of the cloud without resource limitations.