In today’s cybersecurity landscape, network modeling is emerging as a pivotal tool in safeguarding expanding data and network infrastructures.

The challenges of asset mapping and vulnerability management are growing more complex for even the most proactive enterprises. RedSeal Inc. is stepping up to fill this critical gap, offering comprehensive solutions that provide omnichannel visibility for organizations. A prime example of this is the company’s collaboration with Amtrak, showcasing the transformative potential of advanced network modeling in the public sector.

Unpacking network modeling with execs from RedSeal and Amtrak.

“RedSeal is a preeminent modeling technology to model your network so you understand all of the assets and all the access points on your network without fail,” said Greg Enriquez (pictured, right), chief executive officer of RedSeal. “Once you know that we want to prioritize vulnerabilities, you can do the right things at the right time. We want to assist you in understanding the attack path. So, if something bad does happen, you know what they can get to right away. And then finally, we’re going to assist you in continuous compliance.”

Enriquez and Jesse Whaley (left), chief information security officer of Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.), spoke with theCUBE Research’s Savannah Peterson at the Black Hat USA event, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed the need for organizations to protect themselves more effectively against today’s threats through network modeling, compliance and priority mapping. 

Securing a complex infrastructure using network modeling

At Amtrak, the principles of network modeling and compliance are applied in a fast-paced, high-stakes manner. The complexity of Amtrak’s infrastructure, which spans thousands of miles of track and encompasses various sectors beyond transportation, such as energy and emergency services, presents a unique set of challenges, according to Whaley.

“We are America’s Railroad, but beyond that, we own and operate critical infrastructure, transportation being the main one, but also energy and emergency services,” he said. “We have our own federalized police force, 500 police officers protecting our passengers and taking care of the physical threats. And beyond that, we are a real estate company.”

Amtrak’s vast and varied infrastructure includes legacy systems, modern technology and critical safety components that must be secured. This blend of old and new technologies, combined with the mobility of the assets and the need to protect passengers, makes the cybersecurity demands at Amtrak particularly daunting.

“We have 19th and 20th century assets that we’re trying to pull into the 21st century,” Whaley said. “Not all of that is tech, but we do have some pretty old tech out there, a lot of analog stuff that we’re now transforming and making digital.”

A key factor in managing such a complex environment is the integration of various cybersecurity solutions. By integrating over 125 cybersecurity tools, RedSeal ensures that its platform works seamlessly with the other technologies that Amtrak relies on. This integration is critical to provide a comprehensive defense strategy that adapts to the unique demands of Amtrak’s network, Enriquez added.

“The better I can partner with other vendors to provide a solution for our clients, it’s better for our client,” he said. “They shouldn’t have to be integrators of technologies that they need as a platform, in some sense, to solve the problem.”

Additionally, having solutions that “play well together” is crucial for creating a strategic advantage, Whaley added. This level of integration allows Amtrak to maintain a strong defense posture, ensuring that all aspects of its infrastructure are protected.

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of the Black Hat USA event: 

Photo: SiliconANGLE