# Master's Thesis: Secure IT/OT Convergence in Network-Centric Control Architectures at ABB

ABB is hiring a Master's Thesis: Secure IT/OT Convergence in Network-Centric Control Architectures. Level rates it Little AI ●○○○; you can [apply on Level](https://jobsbylevel.com/go/43621183-50cf-4642-8c0f-57a0297bdb48?utm_medium=ai-agent).

AI Level 1, AI centrality 0 out of 100. Vaesteras, Vastmanland County, Sweden.

## Details

- Company: [ABB](https://jobsbylevel.com/companies/abb)
- AI level: AI Level 1 (score 0 out of 100)
- Location: Vaesteras, Vastmanland County, Sweden
- Posted: October 20, 2026
- Apply: https://jobsbylevel.com/go/43621183-50cf-4642-8c0f-57a0297bdb48?utm_medium=ai-agent

## Prepare for this job

The job page lists 4 likely interview questions for this offer, with a CV checklist: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/master-s-thesis-secure-it-ot-convergence-in-network-centric-control-architectures-at-abb-6cdb63

## Description

At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we’ll give you what you need to make it happen. It won’t always be easy, growing takes grit. But at ABB, you’ll never run alone. Run what runs the world. This Position reports to: R&D Team Lead Master’s Thesis at ABB Automation Background This role sits within ABB’s Automation business area, which is world-leading in the industrial automation industry through their Distributed Control System (DCS) offering. Recent years have seen an increasing technology shift in the world of automation where ABB is at forefront of research and development. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of network-centric architectures where distributed controllers, I/O modules and process equipment across large networks can share data securely and robustly and thereby act as a single organism. These developments have brought about possibilities of flexibly distributing workloads and control logic in ways that were not possible historically. Thesis Description Traditionally, industrial systems have been structured according to the Purdue Model, also known as the industrial pyramid, in which higher-level corporate systems are separated from lower-level Operational Technology (OT) networks. One of the hallmarks of this model is its layered architecture, in which communication is typically restricted to adjacent layers. This segmentation helps contain failures and cyber threats, but can also limit flexibility and direct access to operational data. Network-centric architectures reduce the strict separation between enterprise and operational environments, enabling more efficient communication across layers. While this improves flexibility and operational efficiency, it also diminishes the layer segmentation that has traditionally served as an important security mechanism. As a result, OT/IT convergence is creating new opportunities for cyber threats. As the separation between IT and OT environments decreases, threats originating in IT systems and propagating into OT environments become increasingly important to consider. Consequently, there is a need to understand how OT/IT convergence can be achieved without compromising the security, safety, and reliability requirements of industrial systems. The objective of this thesis is to investigate secure approaches to OT/IT convergence, explain the underlying mechanisms that enable them, and demonstrate their applicability within an industrial use case. The work should provide a comprehensive overview of the cybersecurity challenges associated with OT/IT convergence, identify relevant mitigation strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness in a practical setting. The main tasks are: 1. Investigate the cybersecurity challenges introduced by OT/IT convergence. 2. Review and evaluate security mechanisms and solutions that can mitigate these challenges. 3. Design and implement selected solutions within the ABB "Ice Cream Factory" use case (written in .NET10). 4. Assess the effectiveness, benefits, and limitations of the implemented solutions. Qualifications We are looking for one or two candidates that can collaborate on the described Master’s thesis topics and may have competence in the following areas: Knowledge of computer networks and communication systems, including IP addressing, TCP/IP, subnetting, routing, and common network troubleshooting concepts Understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals (e.g., authentication, authorization, encryption, PKI) Understanding of network security concepts (e.g., firewalls, network segmentation, VPNs) Familiarity with threat modeling and risk assessment methodologies Programming experience in C# or a similar programming language Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., OPC UA, Modbus TCP, PROFINET) Furthermore, we value personal skills such as openness and ability to collaborate - being able to

The description is cut here. Read the full offer: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/master-s-thesis-secure-it-ot-convergence-in-network-centric-control-architectures-at-abb-6cdb63

Source: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/master-s-thesis-secure-it-ot-convergence-in-network-centric-control-architectures-at-abb-6cdb63

## Cite this page

Level. https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/master-s-thesis-secure-it-ot-convergence-in-network-centric-control-architectures-at-abb-6cdb63.

Get job alerts: https://jobsbylevel.com/newsletter