ITE drives Industrial Cybersecurity at the Industry 4.0 Sessions in Álava
Integración Tecnológica Empresarial took part in the first session of the Industry 4.0 Conference Series, held on Friday, October 10, at the School of Engineering and the Official College of Industrial Engineers of Álava (COIIA) in Vitoria.
The theme of this first session, part of a total of five, focused on IoT, big data and cybersecurity, and featured contributions from Juan Carlos Chamizo Aragón, Director of ITE’s Cybersecurity Unit, and Ceferino Agüeros, its Commercial Director. Both offered attendees —professionals from technical, IT and industrial backgrounds— a practical insight into the role cybersecurity plays in today’s industrial ecosystem, illustrated with real cases developed in Álava.
The presentation was based on the idea that Industry 4.0 has profoundly transformed Álava’s industrial fabric, driving the digitalisation of processes, the sensorisation of plants and the networked connection of critical infrastructures. This highly interconnected industrial ecosystem —combining automation, robotics, Industrial IoT (IIoT), artificial intelligence and big data— opens new opportunities for efficiency, but also exposes companies to cybersecurity risks.
Cyber threats are no longer limited to traditional corporate environments: they now affect industrial control systems (ICS/SCADA), OT (Operational Technology) networks and digital supply chains. This demands a comprehensive approach to industrial cybersecurity that integrates technology, processes and specialised talent.
Cybersecurity Services applied to the OT environment
During their presentation, the ITE representatives stressed the need to integrate cybersecurity as a strategic element within the digital transformation of industry. The company offers a portfolio of services tailored to industrial environments, focused on protecting control and production systems from increasingly sophisticated threats. These include OT/IT security audits, risk assessments for critical infrastructures, and reviews of hybrid network architectures that connect corporate IT systems with operational (OT) environments.
ITE also promotes advanced incident management and rapid response to cyberattacks, with teams specialised in industrial cyber incidents and recovery protocols against ransomware. This is complemented by continuous monitoring through industrial SOCs, enabling early detection of anomalies in PLCs and SCADA systems, along with the integration of SIEM solutions specifically designed for the OT domain.
Another key pillar is compliance and certification, ensuring organisations’ alignment with international standards such as NIS2, IEC 62443 or ISO 27001, and supporting the development of cybersecurity plans in line with European strategy and Euskadi’s policies.
Finally, training and awareness at plant level are considered essential components. Training for operators, engineers and maintenance staff, together with simulated attacks in laboratory environments, helps strengthen industrial resilience and reduce the exposure surface to incidents.
Initiatives to strengthen Industrial Cybersecurity in Álava
Beyond the technical services, ITE identified during the sessions several opportunities to reinforce Álava’s industrial cybersecurity ecosystem. One of the main challenges is the attraction and development of specialised OT/IT cybersecurity talent, amid growing demand for qualified professionals. To address this, the creation of dual training programmes linking industrial companies with vocational and university centres was proposed, as well as the design of specialisation paths in industrial security.
The potential of establishing cybersecurity innovation laboratories was also highlighted —conceived as testing environments and pilot plants for simulating real cyberattacks. These facilities would foster applied research and collaboration with technology centres such as Tecnalia or CIC energiGUNE, driving R&D projects in industrial systems security.
Among talent promotion activities, the organisation of hackathons and industrial cybersecurity competitions was proposed, serving as meeting points for students, companies and experts. Mobility programmes and international scholarships were also considered to attract European specialists, together with incentives for young researchers and emerging technical profiles.
Finally, the proposal includes the creation of a territorial brand, “Álava Cibersegura”, a positioning and communication strategy to strengthen the province’s image as a hub of innovation and excellence in industrial cybersecurity, with a prominent presence at European Industry 4.0 fairs, congresses and platforms.
The combination of advanced services, continuous training and talent development initiatives will enable Álava to establish itself as a benchmark in safe, intelligent and sustainable Industry 4.0 —strengthening its competitiveness and capacity to face the digital challenges of the future.