An industrial network is a communications network designed to connect sensors, controllers, actuators and machines on a factory floor or industrial site, prioritising deterministic timing, reliability and safety over the general-purpose flexibility of enterprise IT networks. It typically uses fieldbus or industrial Ethernet protocols such as Profinet or EtherCAT to meet the real-time control requirements of robots and process equipment, and forms a core part of operational technology infrastructure. Industrial networks are increasingly connected to enterprise IT systems as part of Industry 4.0 initiatives, raising distinct security and segmentation requirements.