Optimizing secured industrial connectivity through IT and OT integration

Representing Axians the ICT brand on VINCI Energies and Actemium, the Industry brand of VINCI Energies, expert in operational technology (OT) systems, they highlight the benefits of cross-border collaboration and the evolving partnership between the two sister brands.

Could you introduce yourselves and explain your respective roles at Axians and Actemium?  

Guillaume Meyer: I am responsible for activities within Axians Communication & Cloud in the Strasbourg-Mulhouse region. I oversee the development of the industrial segment in this geographical sector. 

Mitch Peyre: I am the Business Unit General Manager for Actemium Australia’s Water Infrastructure segment. I currently lead a team of 77 employees with a wide range of skills, including electricians, engineers, and IT professionals. 

At Actemium Australia, we collaborate with water infrastructure businesses to implement and maintain IT and OT environments. We work closely with electrical assets that are essential for ensuring the continuity and reliability of water supply operations. 

How do Axians and Actemium complement each other when it comes to IT and OT integration? 

Guillaume Meyer: Actemium brings deep expertise in industrial processes, which allows us to craft solutions that align with our clients’ operational needs. Axians, on the other hand, provides IT expertise, including cybersecurity, networking, and system architecture. Our collaboration ensures that IT best practices are integrated into industrial environments. 

Mitch Peyre: Indeed, Axians and Actemium together form a bridge between IT and OT, delivering integrated solutions that enhance connectivity, data management, and security. Axians ensures robust communication networks, while Actemium integrates these networks into industrial systems, optimizing production processes. This synergy addresses a wide range of customer needs, driving efficiency and innovation. 

What were the main challenges one of your recent deployments in the automotive industry faced regarding the IT-OT network, and how did you address them? 

Guillaume Meyer: The key challenges included ensuring IT-OT connectivity, integrating legacy industrial machines with modern IT infrastructure, and achieving almost 100% operational availability to prevent downtime. We tackled these issues by implementing industrial-grade IT networks that adhered to cybersecurity standards, designing resilient architectures, and performing real-time testing with Actemium’s automation engineers to guarantee end-to-end functionality. 

This project involved teams from both France and Belgium. How did you coordinate and ensure smooth collaboration across countries? 

Guillaume Meyer: VINCI Energies operates under shared values and methodologies, making cross-border collaboration straightforward. We had a unified approach to project management, with dedicated business managers in each country. I acted as the central coordinator, ensuring alignment across planning, implementation, and client communication. This structure allowed us to deliver a high-quality solution. 

Can you walk us through the key components of the solution, from cabling to the industrial network and IT LAN/WLAN? 

Guillaume Meyer: We built a robust infrastructure featuring multimode and monomode fiber optics to centralize data collection while maintaining decentralized autonomy for each production site. Actemium handled the industrial cabling and electrical supply, while Axians deployed active IT equipment, network architecture, and cybersecurity measures, including firewalls. This end-to-end integration ensured secure and efficient communication between industrial automation systems and IT applications. 

How do you envision working more closely with Axians in the future? What opportunities do you see for expanding this synergy, including in regions like Australia? 

Mitch Peyre: Australia increasingly aligns with European cybersecurity regulations, making Axians’ expertise highly relevant. There’s strong potential for collaboration in critical infrastructure sectors like energy, healthcare, and transportation. Axians’ managed security services and Security Operations Centers (SOCs) could provide valuable support to Australian businesses. Additionally, training programs could enhance cybersecurity awareness in the region. This growing partnership will strengthen both organizations and create new opportunities for global expansion. 

Guillaume Meyer: Furthermore, the combined expertise of Axians and Actemium offers a unique market advantage. Many industrial clients lack full IT-OT integration knowledge, and our collaboration provides them with a comprehensive solution. Moving forward, we aim to develop even closer integration, ensuring clients receive end-to-end expertise in networking, automation, and cybersecurity. This partnership will only grow stronger, allowing us to expand our impact worldwide.