Secure OT/IT File Exchange

Securely transfer engineering files, firmware, and patches across OT/IT boundaries using DMZ gateways and air-gap deployments without opening corporate network paths.

Zero Direct OT-IT Connectivity

Brokered via Level 3.5 DMZ gateway to keep plant servers completely invisible to external/IT networks.

Deep Boundary CDR & Anti-Malware

Every incoming patch or file is disarmed, scanned, and sanitized before crossing into OT zones.

Audit-Ready Evidence Trail

Automatic, tamper-evident logging engineered specifically to satisfy IEC 62443, NIS2, and NERC CIP.

100%
Edge Offloading
Instant uploads

L3.5
Purdie DMZ Gateway
No direct OT-IT path.

ZERO
Blind-Spot Threads
Inbound CDR & Scanning

Instant
Audit Governace
Instant IEC 62443 compliance

Why Uncontrolled OT/IT Transfers Threaten Plant Operations, and How FileOrbis Solves It

OPERATIONAL RISK

  • Cross-Zone File Flow Vulnerabilities:: Transferring firmware patches, updates, and analytics files across IT/OT levels (Levels 0–5) introduces severe operational security risks.
  • Legacy & Ad-Hoc Transfer Paths: Unmanaged USBs, ad-hoc network shares, and legacy FTP expose air-gapped OT networks to ransomware attacks.
  • Blind-Spot Malware & Script Injection: Lacking deep content inspection and directional policies allows malicious files and hidden scripts to penetrate isolated plant floors.

OT/IT GATEWAY CAPABILITY

  • Governed Level 3.5 DMZ Gateway: Replaces hazardous direct connections and physical media with a hardened intermediary in the DMZ (Level 3.5), ensuring IT and OT networks never directly link.
  • Inspected & Controlled File Pathways: Unmanaged USBs, ad-hoc network shares, and legacy FTP expose air-gapped OT networks to ransomware attacks.
  • Immutable Logging & Protocol Break: Lacking deep content inspection and directional policies allows malicious files and hidden scripts to penetrate isolated plant floors.

Trusted by Content-Critical Businesses Worldwide

ARCHITECTURE & DEPLOYMENT

How the Level 3.5 DMZ File Gateway Protects Your OT Zone

A hardened intermediary in the demilitarized zone that brokers cross-domain transfers so IT and OT networks never connect
directly. Internal systems of record remain completely hidden.

Zero Direct Connection & Inbound Isolation

The DMZ gateway
terminates external
inbound connections.
Transfers are relayed over
controlled channels
without allowing inbound
calls from the DMZ into the
trusted OT zone.

Boundary Protocol & Content Inspection

Evaluates every file
crossing the boundary
with strict content disarm,
malware scanning, and
protocol breaking before
handing off to internal
networks.

Credential & Session Isolation

Keeps user identities and
access sessions isolated
at the gateway level so
compromised IT
credentials cannot silently
pivot into OT assets

Single Monitorable Chokepoint

Channels 100% of crossboundary
file transfers
through a single, audited
enforcement point for
complete visibility and
compliance.

Tailored Isolation Models for Regulated Environments

Best for Routine Exchange

DMZ File Gateway (Purdue Level 3.5)

Hardened intermediary in Level 3.5
that terminates inbound
connections, inspects content, and
relays files without exposing
internal storage tiers.

Best for Maximum Isolation

Air-Gapped Import/Export

Governed staging workflow for airgapped
zones (Levels 0–2). Files are
scanned, approved, and
transferred with zero live network
path.

Best for Telemetry & Logs

Data Diode Integration

Integrates alongside physical
unidirectional hardware to permit
OT-to-IT data flow while
maintaining absolute isolation.

DECISION

DMZ gateway vs. air gap vs. data diode: which do you need?
PatternConnectivityBest forDirectionTrade-off
DMZ file gatewayBrokered, no direct
OT↔IT link		Routine two-way file
exchange under policy		Bidirectional
(controlled)		Requires strong gateway
hardening and monitoring
Air-gapped import/
export		No live connection;
staged transfer		Highest-isolation OT
(Levels 0–2), offline sites		Bidirectional
(staged)		Higher operational latency
Data diodePhysical one-way
flow		Telemetry, logs,
reporting out of OT		One-way onlyCannot support two-way
workflows

Most mature critical-infrastructure architectures combine these: a data diode for high-volume telemetry out of the most
sensitive zones, and a governed DMZ gateway for the two-way exchange of engineering files, patches, and reports.

Core Capabilities


DMZ-Ready Deployment Architecture
A boundary-facing gateway sits in the
DMZ to broker access while application
and storage tiers remain in the trusted
network. Users reach only the gateway,
never systems of record.


Air-Gap-Friendly & On-Premises Operation
Operates entirely on-premises with no
mandatory cloud dependency.
Supports governed file import and
export across isolated OT boundaries,
keeping data strictly within the facility.


Inspection at the Boundary
Subject every file crossing the
boundary to malware scanning and
content inspection before release.
Closes the unmonitored USB and
email attack paths malware uses to
reach OT.


Content-Aware Classification & Policy
Classifies files and enforces
automated governance policies.
Ensures only permitted content
types and sensitivity levels cross
boundaries, strictly in authorized
directions.


Automated, Event-Driven Workflows
Uses FileOrbis Flow to trigger, route,
and approve transfers
automatically. Quarantines
inbound packages until fully
scanned and signed off before
delivery to target segments.


Zero-Trust Access
Control
Applies granular role-based access,
strong authentication, and least
privilege. Prevents compromised IT
credentials from silently accessing
critical OT assets through the file
layer.


Complete, Tamper-Evident Audit Trail
Logs every file transfer, approval, and access event in real time. Provides compliance and security teams with a defensible, immutable record of
all cross-boundary activity.

Built to Support Global Industrial Cyber Security Frameworks


IEC62443
Zone & Conduit Segmentation


NIS2
EU Critical Entity Security


NERC CIP
Electronic Security Perimeter


ISO/IEC 27001
Information Flow Control

EVALUATION CHECKLIST

OT Boundary Gateway Requirements

  • Fully on-premises & air-gap capable deployment

  • DMZ gateway that hides internal systems of record

  • Boundary malware scanning & Content Disarm (CDR)

  • Content-aware classification & directional policies

  • Native support for unidirectional data-diode flows

  • Zero-trust, least-privilege role-based access control

  • Automated quarantine & multi-stage approval workflows

  • Immutable, tamper-evident audit trail for regulators

Hear From Our Customers

“FileOrbis gave us a single pane of glass across on-prem and cloud content. We reduced over-permissioned access fast and finally had audit-ready visibility.”

Security & Risk Lead, Enterprise Organization

“External sharing used to be our biggest leak point. With content-aware policies and full traceability, we enabled collaboration without losing control.”

IT Manager, Regulated Industry

“We consolidated multiple tools into one governed platform. Users got faster access, and our compliance reporting became dramatically simpler.”

Head of Infrastructure, Global Company

Secure the Boundary Between OT and IT

See how FileOrbis brokers governed, inspected, and auditable file exchange
across DMZ and air-gapped networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can we help you?

A DMZ file gateway keeps a brokered, policy-controlled path open between OT and IT so files can move both ways under inspection, while an air gap removes any live network path entirely and relies on a staged import/export process. Many critical-infrastructure sites use both: a gateway for routine exchange and full isolation for the most sensitive zones.

Yes. Using a governed import/export workflow, a unidirectional gateway (data diode), or a cross-domain solution, files can leave an air-gapped network under malware scanning, content disarm, classification policy, and full logging, without opening a two-way path an attacker could exploit.

FileOrbis can place a gateway component in the Level 3.5 DMZ while its application and storage tiers stay in the trusted zone, brokering governed file exchange between enterprise IT (Levels 4–5) and site operations (Level 3) without exposing internal systems.

No. FileOrbis runs fully on-premises with no mandatory cloud dependency, so it can operate inside isolated or air-gapped OT environments while still providing classification, inspection, workflow, and audit.

The most relevant are IEC 62443 for industrial control systems, NIS2 for EU essential entities, NERC CIP for North American energy, and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management. Governed, inspected, and logged file exchange supports the controlled-information-flow requirements common to all of them.

Request FileOrbis Demo Today

Do you want to contact one of our representatives to get information or see FileOrbis in action? Schedule a custom live demo of Fileorbis made just for you.