Siemens and Palo Alto Networks Deliver Verified AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solution for Industrial 5G

[Cengiz Özemli]

## Verified AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solution for Industrial 5G from Siemens and Palo Alto Networks

Siemens announced a verified cybersecurity solution for industrial private 5G networks in collaboration with Palo Alto Networks at Mobile World Congress 2026. This innovation aims to meet the high performance and comprehensive security requirements of AI-powered manufacturing processes.

Siemens' private 5G infrastructure, combined with Palo Alto Networks' AI-optimized Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), has been tested to ensure high availability, network resilience, and continuous operation. It offers manufacturers secure connectivity without compromising performance, while meeting industry-specific security demands.

### Importance of the Solution in Industrial Security

Data-driven production systems require wireless connectivity for countless sensors and mobile assets, making private 5G networks indispensable. However, cyberattacks can cause significant damage to production downtime and worker safety. Regulations like NIS2 mandate defense-in-depth security architectures compliant with the IEC 62443 standard. Traditional IT security solutions often create performance issues or cannot meet real-time needs in industrial environments.

The collaboration between Siemens and Palo Alto Networks specifically addresses this need. Palo Alto Networks extensively tested its NGFW technology with Siemens' private 5G infrastructure in various scenarios, optimizing it. This ensures that critical performance features for industrial production, such as low latency and high data rates, are maintained while security standards are met.

### Three Key Components for Cybersecurity

Tested and verified at Siemens' Digital Connectivity Lab in Erlangen, Germany, the solution consists of the following components:

• Siemens' Private 5G Infrastructure: Provides on-site, deterministic wireless connectivity, protecting mobile assets and securing the core network infrastructure. It offers low-latency communication without reliance on mobile operators.
• SINEC Security Monitor: Performs passive and continuous on-site security monitoring during production, detecting abnormal communication, unauthorized devices, or threats without interfering with production.
• Palo Alto Networks Firewall: Provides Layer 7 security and OT protocol analysis specifically optimized for industrial environments. It performs deep packet inspection against malware, intrusions, and data leakage while maintaining the low latency required for real-time control systems.

This three-component architecture offers industrial automation and control system security compliant with IEC 62443 standards, guaranteeing uninterrupted and high-performance operation of production processes. The solution is available as part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio.

### Vision of Siemens and Palo Alto Networks

Michael Metzler, CEO of Siemens Digital Industries, stated that industry-specific security needs are taken into account, saying, "The security demands of a pharmaceutical factory are different from those of an automotive assembly line. The collaboration between Siemens and Palo Alto Networks offers tailored solutions for these needs."

Dharminder Debisarun from Palo Alto Networks explained, "Together, we are building not just the factory floor, but the intelligent, autonomous, and design-secure central nervous system for the industry of the future."

### Technical Specifications

• Verified AI-powered NGFW technology
• Low latency and high data transfer rates
• Compliance with IEC 62443 standard
• Continuous security monitoring without interfering with production processes
• Industrial private 5G network infrastructure
• Layer 7 security and OT protocol deep packet analysis
• Protection against cyber threats without performance loss

Siemens Digital Industries develops such advanced technologies to accelerate the digital transformation of production processes and support sustainability. Palo Alto Networks, as a global cybersecurity leader, provides secure solutions to the industry with industrial IoT and AI-based innovations.