The Purdue Network Model is a hierarchical framework designed to structure industrial control systems (ICS) into layers, providing secure communication between IT and OT environments. It was originally developed to help organizations define security zones and control data flow across different levels of an industrial network.
The model consists of five primary levels: Level 0 (physical devices), Level 1 (controllers such as PLCs), Level 2 (supervisory control), Level 3 (manufacturing operations), and Level 4 (enterprise IT). This structure helps organizations implement security best practices by segmenting networks and restricting data exchange between layers.
One of the main benefits of the Purdue Network Model is its ability to enhance cybersecurity by isolating operational systems from enterprise networks. However, with the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions and Industrial IoT (IIoT), organizations are re-evaluating the model to allow for more flexibility while maintaining robust security measures.