The convergence of IT and OT has become essential. Yet, businesses face significant challenges in bridging the gap, ranging from cybersecurity risks to outdated infrastructure and complex connectivity.

IT/OT convergence is no longer a choice; it’s a necessity for industrial resilience and agility”

Danny Cullens

Business Development Manager at Axians Netherlands

To address these challenges, one of the largest dairy companies, a global supplier of dairy and nutrition products operating in multiple countries, called on Axians and Actemium’s expertise. Together, they provide more than just technology—they deliver a strategic partnership that ensures seamless IT and OT integration. “IT and OT teams speak different languages, but our role is to bridge that gap, ensuring security and operational continuity” explains Danny Cullens.
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Axians and Actemium’s respective roles

Actemium Veghel became involved when the dairy organization sought deeper insights into its vulnerabilities in the OT environment. Leveraging their expertise in OT Cybersecurity, Actemium identified an opportunity to provide a joint solution that fulfilled the company’s needs. Given that the factories are standardized on Siemens industrial switches and aim to reduce the number of partners, Actemium Belgium, already collaborating with Axians ICT for OT in Belgium, was easily brought on board. Actemium Belgium is responsible for installing the Siemens industrial network and reinforcing the IT/OT infrastructure.

The company views Axians as an OT system integrator. The Axians Business Unit Industry and Business Services, based in Rotterdam, serves as the primary contact for the organization. All offers are made and handled by this unit, which is also responsible for managed services and parts of the installation process.

The project spans all the countries where the company operates, covering multiple international sites. Initially, it focused on establishing an OT Datacenter, with additional components introduced over time, including IT/OT Split, OT Networking, and OT Security. Both Axians and Actemium are involved in implementing these elements to ensure seamless integration and security.
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Driving Efficiency Through IT/OT Integration

“With the OT data center, IT technologies create immutable backups ensuring quick recovery from ransomware,” Cullens explains. These measures collectively improve cyber resilience and enable more effective risk management. Strengthening cybersecurity remains a priority with the implementation of Nozomi to monitor and respond to threats in real time. “A proactive security stance is crucial. With real-time monitoring and a next-generation firewall, we can ensure that IT and OT systems remain protected without disrupting operations” explains Danny Cullens.

Beyond security and connectivity, the organization recognizes the broader impact of IT/OT integration. Automation, AI, and real-time data processing will optimize processes, predict maintenance, and enhance efficiency. Intelligent data usage will enable energy savings, improved resource management, and sustainable business growth. Through their collaboration, Axians and Actemium provide a seamless IT/OT integration strategy. The synergy between IT and OT is now a practical reality, driving efficiency, security, and innovation across global manufacturing operations.