Oil and gas pipeline companies often require expertise that is not always available onsite in their day-to-day operations. With the increase in the remote workforce, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, subject matter experts are forced to monitor, mentor remotely, and guide more junior personnel in field locations. In most instances, this remote access requires software for video conferencing, remote access to the control system networks, and remote file transfers to maintain plant operations. All technologies place a pipeline operator's critical infrastructure at risk when implemented incorrectly. This whitepaper shows how Palo Alto Network's Prisma Access can empower pipeline companies to provide remote access to their process control network (PCN) in a manner that is safe, secure, and expandable.
