As data centers continue to expand and multiply, cybersecurity risks are extending beyond servers and network infrastructure to include the operational technologies that support them. Devices such as chillers, power meters, and monitoring systems—which are often overlooked in traditional IT risk models—now represent potential entry points for cyber-attacks and network intrusion if they’re not adequately secured.

For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) already serving data centers (and for those looking to break into this growing sector), it’s becoming increasingly important to understand and consider how connected devices fit into the data center’s broader security and compliance profile. From network segmentation to protocol-level protections, infrastructure devices are now expected to meet the same cybersecurity standards as those applied to core IT assets.

This article outlines key security considerations for OEM equipment manufacturers who are operating at the edge of data center networks. It also highlights how FieldServer gateways, with built-in FieldSafe security features and controls, are designed to support secure, standards-aligned integration within mission-critical environments, including data centers.

Understanding IT Security Standards for OEM Devices in Data Centers

Modern data centers are built on a layered architecture of IT and OT systems—each critical to uptime, efficiency, and security—that must work together seamlessly. IT systems, including servers, networking hardware, and DCIM platforms, manage data, monitoring, and enterprise operations. OT systems, which include HVAC, power meters, backup generators, and environmental sensors, manage the physical functions that keep the data center running.

These two domains, once separate, are now tightly interconnected. Here’s how:

• Power and cooling infrastructure must respond to IT load demands.
• Safety systems must report into centralized dashboards.
• Devices that used to operate in isolation are now expected to share data across segmented, policy-driven networks.

As IT and OT systems become more interconnected, they also become increasingly interdependent—requiring coordinated communication and shared responsibility for performance and security.

Yet, this growing interdependence introduces both complexity and risk. For OEMs, data centers are demanding, and rightly so. OEM devices deployed within this environment should not only perform their primary function; they also should communicate securely with both IT and OT platforms.

The challenge? Devices and the platforms they connect to often rely on different communication protocols.

That’s where MSA FieldServer solutions come into play. Our multi-protocol gateways make connectivity seamless and scalable. By translating protocols and enabling network segmentation, FieldServer gateways help OEM equipment operate securely within this highly integrated IT/OT ecosystem.

Built-In Security that Speaks the Language of Data Centers

When it comes to data center security, it’s natural to think of firewalls, authentication protocols, and endpoint monitoring. But increasingly, data center teams are paying just as much attention to infrastructure devices: power meters, chillers, fuel monitors, and multi-protocol gateways. Although these devices live outside the server rack, they still touch the data center’s highly secured network.

While these devices may not store sensitive data, they can provide cyberhackers access to the network if they, too, are not tightly secured. Remember Target? The 2013 breach is still one of the most high-profile cyberattacks, and it all began through stolen credentials from an HVAC vendor with remote network access.

For OEMs, this shift has led to tighter specs and more rigorous requirements. It’s no longer enough for an OEM product to do its job; it also needs to meet the security and integration standards set by the data center’s IT team. That means built-in network segmentation, support for secure protocols, and the ability to function within policy-driven environments without custom engineering or the need for added hardware.

FieldServer gateways are designed to help OEMs meet those expectations right out of the box. Every unit is built with FieldSafe, MSA’s embedded cybersecurity approach, which combines hardened firmware, TLS encryption, advanced authentication, network isolation, port restrictions, and standards-based controls into a single integration-ready platform.

Securing OEM Integration in Data Centers with FieldServer

By the time most devices reach the security review stage, it’s not performance that holds things up, it’s compliance. IT teams want assurance that every connected component aligns with their data center’s network security policies. That’s why FieldServer gateways are designed with FieldSafe, an embedded security approach that addresses real-world risks before they become integration roadblocks.

FieldSafe isn’t a bolt-on. It’s an intentional part of our gateway architecture, developed specifically for environments where infrastructure devices are connected to both operational and enterprise systems.

Here’s a closer look at how FieldServer gateways with built-in FieldSafe can help OEM equipment align with IT policies (all while avoiding the burden of additional engineering, certifications, or security reviews).

1. No open operating system: Unlike gateways built on Linux or Windows, FieldServer devices use purpose-built firmware. There’s no need to install patches or manage external dependencies and no risk of system-level vulnerabilities from open OS components.
2. Restricted IP ports: Only the necessary communication ports are active by default. Everything else is closed to help reduce vulnerabilities and simplify the review process for IT and cybersecurity teams.
3. Dual Ethernet ports for network segmentation: Two physical Ethernet ports allow OEM equipment to maintain separation between internal operational networks and external systems, such as the BMS or a DCIM. This supports standard data center segmentation practices without requiring extra gateway hardware or complicated manual configuration.
4. DHCP and static IP support: Many facilities enforce strict IP address assignment policies. FieldServer supports both dynamic and fixed IP configurations, so OEMs don’t have to worry about protocol mismatches or incompatibility with site-specific network policies.
5. Remote access that’s controllable: FieldServer Manager, a secure, cloud-based interface, allows authorized remote configuration and diagnostics. Remote access can be fully disabled based on the data center’s security policy, eliminating one of the most common IT objections.
6. Third-party penetration testing: FieldServer undergoes regular independent security testing by accredited third parties. This ensures that any emerging vulnerabilities are caught early and that the product aligns with enterprise-grade risk management practices.
7. Aligned with ISO/IEC 27001: MSA’s security practices for FieldSafe are structured to align with the globally recognized standard for information security management. This provides added assurance for OEMs that partner with regulated industries or enterprise buyers.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to deploying new equipment in data centers, security is often the last—and most formidable—barrier to clear. Even the most reliable, high-performing devices can get held up if they don’t meet stringent IT cybersecurity standards.

That’s where FieldServer can help OEMs break into the data center market and stand out with secure, integration-ready solutions. By building in secure, standards-aligned connectivity from the start, FieldServer gateways help OEMs navigate security reviews with fewer delays, less rework, and no need to redesign around IT constraints.

OEMs that embed FieldServer gateways into their products are better positioned to:

• Clear security reviews without additional documentation or custom development
• Avoid last-minute integration issues that slow down deployment
• Meet enterprise requirements without compromising core functionality
• Support secure communication across both IT and OT environments

In short, FieldServer devices don’t just help OEMs connect. It helps them get to market faster.

If you need a multi-protocol gateway that goes beyond basic security, FieldServer is built to help OEM devices deploy faster, safer, and with fewer IT roadblocks. Contact us to learn more.