Building Cyber Resilient OT Networks with 5G
About This Session
Critical infrastructure is rapidly connecting mission-critical IoT assets across expansive, remote environments. However, extending OT to the mobile edge dramatically broadens the attack surface, exposing high-value infrastructure to severe cyber and physical threats.
This session presents a practical, architectural blueprint for securing field-deployed with 5G networks, featured alongside an interactive demonstration using the PA-54R-POE-D-5G.
Attendees will observe how physical cabinet access alerts are tied directly into SOC workflows via built-in Digital I/O ports, how real-time device identification immediately isolates unapproved hardware, and how inline edge inspection detects and blocks malware injections before threats can move laterally into critical OT environments.
In this presentation, we will demonstrate:
• How to Eliminate Field Complexity via Edge Convergence: Discover how unifying active/active 5G SD-WAN, full IP routing, PoE switching, and OT-aware NGFW capabilities into a single ruggedized appliance lowers power and space footprints, simplifies maintenance, and enables rapid field deployment via Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP).
• Methods for Unifying Cyber and Physical Edge Defense: Learn how integrating physical operational telemetry—such as cabinet door tamper sensors using native Digital I/O ports—directly into the security platform enables instant, automated visibility and alerting for the Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Practical Zero Trust Enforcement at the 5G Edge: Explore live mitigation techniques for granular device authorization and inline malware prevention at the field layer, ensuring robust OT asset protection across both air-gapped locations and AI-driven, cloud-connected topologies.
This session presents a practical, architectural blueprint for securing field-deployed with 5G networks, featured alongside an interactive demonstration using the PA-54R-POE-D-5G.
Attendees will observe how physical cabinet access alerts are tied directly into SOC workflows via built-in Digital I/O ports, how real-time device identification immediately isolates unapproved hardware, and how inline edge inspection detects and blocks malware injections before threats can move laterally into critical OT environments.
In this presentation, we will demonstrate:
• How to Eliminate Field Complexity via Edge Convergence: Discover how unifying active/active 5G SD-WAN, full IP routing, PoE switching, and OT-aware NGFW capabilities into a single ruggedized appliance lowers power and space footprints, simplifies maintenance, and enables rapid field deployment via Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP).
• Methods for Unifying Cyber and Physical Edge Defense: Learn how integrating physical operational telemetry—such as cabinet door tamper sensors using native Digital I/O ports—directly into the security platform enables instant, automated visibility and alerting for the Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Practical Zero Trust Enforcement at the 5G Edge: Explore live mitigation techniques for granular device authorization and inline malware prevention at the field layer, ensuring robust OT asset protection across both air-gapped locations and AI-driven, cloud-connected topologies.
Speaker
Hugo Perez
Solutions Architect - 5G Mobile Security - Palo Alto Networks
Hugo Perez is a Solutions Architect for 5G Mobile Security at Palo Alto Networks, bringing over 23 years of deep technical experience in telecommunications and network security. Passionate about cellular networks and "connecting the unconnected in a secure way," Hugo specializes in the intersection of operational technology (OT), industrial IoT, and advanced mobile networks.
Prior to joining Palo Alto Networks, Hugo spent over 16 years at Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs, where he served as a Principal Integration Specialist and Principal LTE System Specialist. During this time, he played a critical role in incubating innovative 5G and LTE use cases, leading early proofs of concept, and driving the architecture and integration of end-to-end mobile networks. Today, at Palo Alto Networks, he leverages this extensive background to develop ruggedized security solutions, Zero Trust architectures, and technical blueprints that protect critical infrastructure and field-deployed assets at the mobile edge. A recognized technical expert and recent patent recipient at the company, Hugo continues to lead live demonstrations and architectural testing for securing 5G-connected environments. Hugo holds an Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Universidad del Norte in Colombia.
Prior to joining Palo Alto Networks, Hugo spent over 16 years at Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs, where he served as a Principal Integration Specialist and Principal LTE System Specialist. During this time, he played a critical role in incubating innovative 5G and LTE use cases, leading early proofs of concept, and driving the architecture and integration of end-to-end mobile networks. Today, at Palo Alto Networks, he leverages this extensive background to develop ruggedized security solutions, Zero Trust architectures, and technical blueprints that protect critical infrastructure and field-deployed assets at the mobile edge. A recognized technical expert and recent patent recipient at the company, Hugo continues to lead live demonstrations and architectural testing for securing 5G-connected environments. Hugo holds an Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Universidad del Norte in Colombia.