ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY
Scalable IT Architecture and Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure
The ALTEN team played a key role in designing and developing a scalable IT systems architecture for critical infrastructure, addressing high requirements in terms of security, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Cooperation with a client from the energy sector enabled the implementation of modern cybersecurity standards and solutions supporting mission-critical communication. The project was carried out in compliance with stringent legal regulations, including the NIS2 directive.
The project concerned systems supporting critical energy and railway infrastructure, where operational continuity and immediate response to emergency events are crucial. The ALTEN team was responsible for developing components for collecting and analyzing metrics from devices, strengthening data encryption mechanisms, and designing a public API. The work covered architecture design, code development, automated testing, and close cooperation with the client’s security teams.
Challenge
Creating a scalable and flexible testing framework for a platform supporting TSN standards as well as various hardware configurations and communication protocols.
Solution
Design of a microservices architecture, implementation of modern encryption methods, development of Big Data analytics systems, and creation of a secure, controlled public API.
Benefits
- Increased cybersecurity level of critical systems
- Faster event detection and more effective alerting
- Ability to automate M2M processes for end users
- Compliance with the NIS2 directive and current industry standards
- Greater attractiveness of the solution for new clients
Implementation challenges and their importance for critical infrastructure security
The project involved significant challenges resulting from the specific nature of critical infrastructure. Any error or delay in data processing could have a real impact on energy security and the operational continuity of end-user systems. It was necessary to balance high system performance with very strict cybersecurity requirements, as well as continuously coordinate activities with experts from various fields – from system engineering to IT security. For end users, this translated into greater system stability and confidence that it responds quickly and accurately in crisis situations.
Modern tools and IT architecture supporting mission-critical systems
As part of the project, the ALTEN team implemented a set of advanced tools and technologies, including C++ and Kotlin for developing high-performance microservices, InfluxDB for time-series data storage and analysis, and Node.js and Python for data processing and integration. Monitoring systems enable the collection of metrics from critical devices, their transformation, aggregation, and visualization in the form of historical charts. Additionally, password encryption mechanisms were analyzed and modernized, eliminating potential security vulnerabilities and aligning the system with current market recommendations. The public API was designed to securely provide data access and enable M2M system integration.
Business and operational benefits for users and the energy sector client
The applied solutions delivered measurable benefits to both end users and the client. Users gained access to a stable, secure, and flexible system that enables process automation and rapid response to events within critical infrastructure. For the client, this meant strengthening market position, meeting regulatory requirements, and creating a foundation for acquiring new customers. The project confirmed the ALTEN team’s expertise in mission-critical systems and advanced IT solutions for the energy sector.
