Cyolo updates privileged access platform with tools to monitor unmanaged vendor connections – News

Remote privileged access management company Cyolo Ltd. today announced a major update to its Cyolo PRO, or Privileged Remote Operations, platform, introducing new capabilities designed to improve visibility, security and operational agility in industrial and cyber-physical system environments.

Leading the list of new features is Third-Party VPN Control, a capability that allows organizations to enforce access policies and gain real-time visibility over vendor-managed virtual private networks and direct connections without requiring changes to existing production infrastructure or vendor workflows. The update also includes new features for secure collaboration, remote assistance and asset visibility.

Third-Party VPN Control is designed to address one of the most persistent challenges in operational technology environments — the inability to govern external VPNs and proprietary access gateways used by third-party vendors. The problem arises from industrial operators being forced to allow connections from vendors who insist on using legacy tools such as site-to-site tunnels or “black box” remote access systems. Cyolo argues that these unmanaged access paths create significant risk, leaving organizations unaware of who is connecting, what they’re accessing and what actions are being taken.

The new Third-Party VPN Control feature closes that gap by enabling full visibility and policy enforcement for external VPN sessions, all without disrupting vendor workflows.

The new version of Cyolo PRO also introduces Instant Collaboration Link, a browser-based, onetime-use secure link that allows session owners to invite external participants, such as vendors, auditors and engineers, into live Remote Desktop Protocol, Secure Shell or Virtual Network Computing sessions.

Another new feature, called Secure Remote Assistance, allows organizations to deliver secure technical support for both user-initiated and helpdesk-initiated sessions, all while maintaining operational governance and control.

To help administrators manage access across complex environments, Cyolo Pro also now includes a new Asset Access Hub that presents a unified, contextual view of assets based on both business and technical attributes. The hub allows for more precise, role-based access assignment by allowing administrators to quickly identify and organize assets by function, vendor, IP address, access zone and more.

“In today’s virtual environments, third-party vendors are essential for the unbroken continuity of industrial operations and critical infrastructure, both vital for the economy and national security. However, third-party access methods too often introduce unacceptable risks,” said co-founder and Chief Executive Almog Apirion. “We are always thinking about the real-world challenges our customers face and endlessly innovating to solve those problems. This latest advance represents the next step in the transformation of OT and CPS access, making it more agile, secure and seamless for administrators and end users, without forcing vendors to change the tools they rely upon.”

Cyolo is a venture capital-backed startup that has raised $85.2 million in funding over four rounds. Investors include National Grid Partners Inc., Glilot Capital Partners, Flint Capital, Differential Ventures Inc. and Merlin Ventures.

Image: Cyolo