The Purdue Reference Architecture is a widely used framework for structuring industrial control systems (ICS) into hierarchical levels. It defines security zones and data flow from physical equipment (Level 0) to enterprise systems (Level 4), improving operational efficiency and cybersecurity.
Originally designed to separate IT and OT networks, the Purdue model ensures that industrial networks remain secure and structured. However, with the rise of cloud computing and IIoT, modifications to the model are being explored to accommodate modern, data-driven architectures.
Despite its limitations, the Purdue Reference Architecture remains fundamental to industrial cybersecurity, providing a structured approach to network segmentation, data integrity, and secure communication between business and operational layers.