Securing Oil and Gas Data Exchange with Software Toolbox Solutions

In the oil and gas industry, data drives everything—from production optimization to regulatory compliance and remote asset management. But in an environment with geographically dispersed assets, legacy equipment, and too often limited network bandwidth, secure data exchange is far from simple. 

To stay competitive and compliant, oil and gas operators must bridge the gap between edge devices to control and enterprise systems—safely, reliably, and in real time.

The Challenge: Complex Systems, Critical Data

Oil and gas operations depend on a vast network of intelligent devices—like sensors, analyzers, flow computers, RTUs, PLC’s and DCS—each from different manufacturers, potentially using different protocols and communication standards. Integrating this data across HMI, SCADA, MES, ERP, cloud, and other corporate IT systems while protecting it from cyber threats and communication failures is a complex task. 

Software Toolbox has proven experience in addressing these challenges with powerful solutions engineered for secure, standardized, and efficient data exchange across oil and gas infrastructure.

A Layered Approach to Secure Data Exchange

In oil and gas, secure data exchange requires more than just encryption—it demands a multi-layered strategy that protects every step of the data journey. Software Toolbox solutions deliver exactly that, combining trusted software tools that ensure secure communication, encrypted transport, and safe integration from field to enterprise without exposing your private OT networks.

1. Secure Data Aggregation at the Edge with TOP Server:
   
   TOP Server serves as a centralized communications hub, securely aggregating data from field/edge devices. With built-in support for hundreds of devices—including oil and gas industry-specific protocols—you can streamline integration and avoid the added risk, complexity, training, and cost of managing multiple point solutions. Each license includes standard OPC UA support with the latest encryption levels and an  OPC UA security policies plug-in at no additional cost to granularly protect data integrity and provide flexibility in user authentication. This makes sure that the right people have the right access to the right settings, an important capability in a regulated industry.
   
   
2. Share Data Without Opening Ports or Exposing your Network - Reliable, Encrypted Tunneling and Aggregation with Cogent DataHub:
   
   For remote or distributed sites, Cogent DataHub securely aggregates real-time data from various sources such as OPC, MQTT, databases, alarm generation systems, and historians. The Store and Forward functionality guarantees reliable data delivery across network interruptions.  Secure data exchange is achieved with DMZ & proxy friendly, encrypted, password protected, single or bi-directional tunneling between any systems from OT to the Enterprise. With Cogent DataHub in Azure, users can securely share selected data with partners in a cloud portal, without opening any inbound firewall ports, and can even use the same tunneling mechanisms via Azure to share data they select with partners on a read only basis.
   
   
3. Visual Workflow Secure Integration with Business Systems, web services and more via OPC Router:
   
   OPC Router is a powerful integration tool that features a drag-and-drop workflow interface for ease of building and managing data connections. With its reusable templates and built-in security, it provides simple, scalable and secure integration between control systems, data management solutions, and enterprise platforms like SAP, SQL databases, cloud services, and REST APIs. Secure Redundancy of instances for high-availability applications uses pre-shared keys to ensure an encrypted, secure, trustworthy connection between instances - ensuring reliable uptime, routing and data sharing while remaining in a protected framework.
   
   
4. Encrypted, Automated EFM Historical Data Collection & Sharing:
   
   With the TOP Server EFM Suite and EFM Exporter for Emerson FB Automation Platform, you can securely collect historical flow, event, and alarm data from electronic flow measurement RTUs and flow computers and deliver it in standardized formats, including CFX and secured database, to oil and gas accounting systems and other back-office systems. The result is reduced manual handling and critical custody transfer data is protected end-to-end—supporting compliance with industry regulations and reducing the risk of costly errors or tampering.

Why Security Matters More Than Ever

As cyber threats evolve and regulatory pressure mounts, oil and gas companies are prioritizing cybersecurity as a core pillar of operational integrity. Software Toolbox’s solutions are built to:

• Limit attack surfaces by reducing the number of exposed applications and facilitating data sharing without exposing networks or opening inbound ports when using DMZs and proxies
• Provide encryption on all data-in-transit
• Support secure, role-based access and credential management
• Ensure high availability and fault tolerance for continuous operations

Whether you’re implementing a digital oilfield strategy based on a Unified Namespace (UNS) or other common data framework solutions or deploying a traditional control architecture across the automation stack, our solutions and expertise provide the tools you need to connect, move, and manage your data—without compromising security.

Secure Your Data. Empower Your Operations.

In oil and gas, the value of your data depends on how securely and reliably it flows—from field devices to enterprise systems. With Software Toolbox’s trusted solutions and its world-class support, you gain more than connectivity—you gain confidence. 

Do you need guidance on the right approach for your requirements? We’re here to help. Request a consultation or explore our secure oil and gas solutions today!

Here’s more information on Security, Connectivity, and Customer Wins:

Customer Success Stories

1. Telvent SCADA, Sybase & Oracle Database, and OPC leak-detection system integration at BP Pipeline
2. Optimizing OPC Redundancy with Rockwell PLCs, Iconics HMI, in the Mukhaizna oil field
3. Secure, firewall friendly OPC data transmission between remote offshore sites and central office at Total Exploration & Production
4. Large Scale Secure Alarm Networking & Aggregation at Trans-Anatolian Pipeline

TOP Server and Security

1. Exploring TOP Server's Out-of-the-Box Security Features
2. TOP Server is Secure Out-of-the-Box to Prevent Unauthorized Access
3. Configure TOP Server and KEPServerEX Remotely and Securely

OPC UA and Security

1. Exploring OPC UA - Key Concepts of a Layered Security Mode
2. Securely Move Industrial Data Without DCOM Using OPC Tunneling
3. Tech Support Corner: Secure UA Authentication with Cogent DataHub

DataHub and Security

1. 4 Ways to Address Security Challenges with DataHub Tunneling
2. Cogent DataHub V11 Security Enhancements Deep Dive
3. Securing your MQTT Data Access in Cogent DataHub V11
4. DataHub Connection & Configuration Security

General Security Resources

1. The Benefits of Secure Remote Access to Industrial Process Data
2. Security Learning Resources: Staying Safe in the World of IIoT