Discover how Cybertrol Engineering leverages Out of Band Management (OOBM) to help clients rapidly recover from unexpected IT outages, minimizing downtime and safeguarding operations with a cost-effective, secure solution.
In July 2024, a routine software update led to a major global IT outage. A faulty CrowdStrike driver update crashed millions of systems, sending production at many manufacturers into freefall. As industrial systems embrace the digital world through Industry 4.0, their infrastructure is more connected than ever. However, this increased connectivity also makes them more vulnerable to unplanned downtime, cybersecurity incidents, and problematic software updates. For one of Cybertrol’s clients, the solution was already in place—a reliable Out of Band Management (OOBM) system that restored operations within hours.
While many businesses faced extended downtime, Cybertrol's knowledgeable Industrial IT engineers were able to restore operations for one client within hours, demonstrating the value of OOBM in minimizing disruption.
As the outage was unfolding, one of our clients immediately contacted us, as their systems had completely shut down. Fortunately, Cybertrol had previously implemented an Out-of-Band Management (OOBM) solution for this client, which did not have CrowdStrike installed. Using this indirectly connected system, Cybertrol was able to quickly diagnose the cause of the outage and restore production within just a few hours instead of days.
An OOBM system operates independently from production networks, providing administrators with a backup access point to diagnose and recover systems even when primary networks fail. It typically operates within an isolated management network, often using a VLAN to route to various other networks. In the event that the domain or production cluster is compromised or goes offline, an OOBM system allows administrators to maintain access, control, and troubleshoot systems. Essentially, an OOBM system functions as a back-up tool and a portal into the network when production systems fail, with minimal impact on daily operations.
Think of an OOBM solution as a ‘break-the-glass’ emergency response tool. It helps minimize downtime and provides a method for quick recovery. These types of solutions are very cost-effective due to their simplicity: an OOBM system does not need to be a high-end server. In fact, an OOBM setup can be built from basic network utilities, making it relatively inexpensive—especially when you consider that recovery without one can take much longer. Compared to the cost of downtime, an OOBM solution can quickly pay for itself.
“As one Cybertrol IIT engineer put it: 'Every minute of downtime costs manufacturers far more than the price of an OOBM solution.'”
An OOBM system is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal training to operate. Even if the user is not a network engineer or system administrator, they can still log in and begin troubleshooting effectively.
An OOBM solution does more than just aid in the recovery process. Since the system operates in isolation, it also serves as a sandbox environment for software development, patching, and testing. Engineers can upload a new software version—different from what is running on critical production systems—and test it safely on the OOBM system. If any mistakes are made, they won’t cause downtime. This allows engineers to experiment and run updates without disrupting production, helping to reduce risks associated with software updates and patching.
OOBM systems also provide significant cybersecurity benefits. They can be secured with two-factor authentication, and only the asset owner holds the credentials. If a control system is compromised, the OOBM server remains unaffected because attackers cannot gain access through the domain system. This means that even during a security event, an engineer still has a gateway into the system via the OOBM to troubleshoot and address the problem.
“OOBM isn’t just there for emergencies—it enables continuous improvement by providing a safe environment for testing and patching without risking production systems.”
Cyber incidents like the CrowdStrike outage serve as a reminder of the critical need for proactive recovery strategies. An OOBM solution is an affordable yet powerful tool that not only minimizes downtime but also strengthens your cybersecurity resilience. When unexpected events happen, that’s when the OOBM system truly proves its value—keeping your operations running smoothly and securely.
Is your business prepared? Contact Cybertrol today to learn how we can help you implement an OOBM solution that keeps your operations running smoothly—no matter what challenges arise.