SecT: A Zero-Trust Framework for Secure Remote Access in Next-Generation Industrial Networks

Next-generation industrial networks are designed to integrate a wide range of devices, services, and applications spanning multiple technologies, such as cloud platforms, edge computing, and the Internet of Things. With the growing adoption of applications such as “Industry 4.0,” high security and low latency are becoming unavoidable requirements for these networks. Traditional virtual private networks (VPNs) generally experience performance, latency, and security issues, especially when supporting secure remote access for Industry 4.0 and e-health applications. To address these issues, this study introduces a novel zero-trust network-access framework for next-generation industrial networks called Secure Transmission (SecT). SecT is a User Datagram Protocol (UDP)-based solution, ensuring speed and effectiveness, with role-based access control. It uses a centralized management interface that can adapt to various network environments, providing secure access to mission-critical applications and increasing operational agility. SecT aims to meet the emerging demands of modern industrial networks, offering secure access with improved performance. The results of a comparative analysis show that SecT outperforms traditional VPNs in both capability and flexibility, adapting well to new network conditions.