CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Network Critical vs TXOne Networks

Network Critical sells modular TAP and Packet Broker solutions for network visibility. TXOne Networks sells security solutions that integrate across all levels of the Purdue model. CISO Tribune files both under OT and ICS security. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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  • Network Critical
  • TXOne Networks
Network Critical vs TXOne Networks: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Network CriticalNetwork Critical sells modular TAP and Packet Broker solutions for network visibility.networkcritical.comTXOne NetworksTXOne Networks sells security solutions that integrate across all levels of the Purdue model.txone.com
What it sells
  • Network TAPs[1][3]A network TAP creates an exact copy of all data flowing between two points in a network.
  • Packet Brokers[1][7][8][13]Network packet brokers process inputs from multiple sources and deliver the right traffic to the right tools.
  • Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker[8]A hybrid test access point and packet broker combines the functions of a TAP and a packet broker in one package.
  • Bypass TAPs[9][10]A bypass TAP monitors security devices and reroutes network traffic around failing tools.
  • INVIKTUS[1][11][12]INVIKTUS is a zero-trust security solution.
  • Ethernet TAPs[6]Ethernet TAPs capture network traffic without impacting performance.
  • Passive Fiber TAPs[5]Passive fiber TAPs provide always-on monitoring, including when the power is out.
  • Element[1][5][6][10][11][14][19]Element validates devices and media without software installation, system modifications, or network requirements.
  • Stellar[1][5][6][7][12][13][16][17]Endpoint security delivered in two editions, Stellar Discover and Stellar Protect.
  • Edge[1][5][6][8][11]Edge provides inline threat prevention across 180+ industrial protocols.
  • StellarOne[7][16][17]StellarOne is the single-pane management console for every Stellar deployment.
  • Portable Inspector[14][18][19]Agentless malware scanning and asset discovery from a USB device.
  • ElementOne[19]ElementOne is a centralized management console for a Portable Inspector and Safe Port fleet.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesTaipei, Taiwan[4]
Founded
Not stated on its pages2019[3]
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
Not stated on its pages
  • June 30, 2026TXOne Networks announced Virtual Portable Inspector, a software-based addition to its Element inspection portfolio.[14]
  • April 17, 2026TXOne Networks previewed Stellar Discover, a lightweight endpoint sensor for asset visibility and vulnerability assessment in OT environments.[12]
  • March 25, 2026TXOne Networks announced that Siemens certified TXOne Stellar again as a supported antivirus solution for SIMATIC WinCC Open Architecture.[13]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
Network Critical provides bypass TAPs for data centres running inline IPS, firewalls and DDoS mitigation tools. Network Critical describes its data diodes as suitable for highly regulated sectors, such as military, ICS and SCADA infrastructure. Network Critical describes its environmentally protected OT devices as suited to manufacturing floors, utility substations and outdoor installations.The company addresses plants that are moving control workloads from dedicated hardware onto virtualized servers. ElementOne is described for organisations with many Portable Inspectors across multiple locations. TXOne Complete is presented to buyers who built their OT security program solution by solution, with network visibility from one vendor and endpoint protection from a different vendor.
Last verified
November 8, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Network Critical and TXOne Networks are both filed under OT and ICS security.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Network Critical's primary category is Network visibility and traffic brokering; TXOne Networks's is OT and ICS security.
  • Network Critical is also filed under DDoS protection.
  • Network Critical lists Network TAPs, Packet Brokers, Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker, Bypass TAPs, INVIKTUS and 2 more. TXOne Networks lists Element, Stellar, Edge, StellarOne, Portable Inspector and 1 more.
  • TXOne Networks is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan.
  • TXOne Networks was founded in 2019.

What it sells: Network Critical

What Network TAPs does[1][3]
A network TAP creates an exact copy of all data flowing between two points in a network. TAPs are used to monitor network traffic for performance, security, or compliance.
What Packet Brokers does[1][7][8][13]
Network packet brokers process inputs from multiple sources and deliver the right traffic to the right tools. SmartNA-PortPlus is a packet broker that aggregates low-speed links onto fewer high-speed tools.
What Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker does[8]
A hybrid test access point and packet broker combines the functions of a TAP and a packet broker in one package. Hybrid TAP and packet brokers offer traffic aggregation, load balancing and port mapping. They use interchangeable, hot-swappable TAP modules, including fail-safe copper.
What Bypass TAPs does[9][10]
A bypass TAP monitors security devices and reroutes network traffic around failing tools. Bypass TAPs send small test signals, known as heartbeats, to security appliances. SmartNA-XL bypass TAPs detect when inline security tools fail and redirect traffic in real-time.
What INVIKTUS does[1][11][12]
INVIKTUS is a zero-trust security solution. INVIKTUS network security is built on the zero-trust framework and analyzes and validates traffic.
What Ethernet TAPs does[6]
Ethernet TAPs capture network traffic without impacting performance. Ethernet TAPs can be deployed as standalone TAPs or within SmartNA chassis for advanced traffic management.

What it sells: TXOne Networks

What Element does[1][5][6][10][11][14][19]
Element validates devices and media without software installation, system modifications, or network requirements. Element is 100% air-gap compatible. Element scans at 7,200 files per minute.
What Stellar does[1][5][6][7][12][13][16][17]
Stellar Discover installs in one minute with no drivers and no kernel access. Stellar Protect comes in an ICS Edition for the full prevention suite and a Kiosk Edition for the most constrained legacy endpoints.
What Edge does[1][5][6][8][11]
Edge provides inline threat prevention across 180+ industrial protocols, both standard and proprietary, with 1,500+ OT-native signatures. Edge network security includes Gen3 hardware bypass on every segment with Universal Bypass for uplink disconnection.
What StellarOne does[7][16][17]
StellarOne inventories Discover sensors, pushes policies to Protect agents, coordinates one-click upgrades from sensor to agent, and forwards events to Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, and QRadar. StellarOne enforces role-based access control and approval workflows for policy deployment, agent upgrades, and configuration changes. StellarOne supports air-gapped deployments for ICS and Kiosk agents with USB pattern updates.
What Portable Inspector does[14][18][19]
Portable Inspector plugs into any USB port to scan for malware, collect asset information, and verify system integrity without software installation or system modifications. Portable Inspector supports 80+ operating systems from Windows 2000 through the latest Linux distributions. The Pro Edition of Portable Inspector adds AES-256 hardware-encrypted storage for validated file transfer into air-gapped environments.
What ElementOne does[19]
ElementOne is a centralized management console for a Portable Inspector and Safe Port fleet, with one dashboard for data scanning, device health, and compliance reporting. ElementOne aggregates scan results, asset inventories, and threat detections from 1,000+ Portable Inspector and Safe Port devices into a unified security posture dashboard. ElementOne deploys as a virtual machine for centralized management of all security inspection devices.

Questions about Network Critical and TXOne Networks

What do Network Critical and TXOne Networks sell?
Network Critical sells Network TAPs, Packet Brokers, Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker, Bypass TAPs, INVIKTUS and 2 more. TXOne Networks sells Element, Stellar, Edge, StellarOne, Portable Inspector and 1 more.
Are Network Critical and TXOne Networks in the same category?
They share OT and ICS security. Network Critical's primary category is Network visibility and traffic brokering and TXOne Networks's is OT and ICS security.
Where are Network Critical and TXOne Networks headquartered?
TXOne Networks is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan.
When were Network Critical and TXOne Networks founded?
TXOne Networks was founded in 2019.
Who are Network Critical and TXOne Networks sold to?
Network Critical provides bypass TAPs for data centres running inline IPS, firewalls and DDoS mitigation tools. The company addresses plants that are moving control workloads from dedicated hardware onto virtualized servers.
What have Network Critical and TXOne Networks announced recently?
June 30, 2026: TXOne Networks announced Virtual Portable Inspector, a software-based addition to its Element inspection portfolio.

About Network Critical

Network Critical sells modular TAP and Packet Broker solutions for network visibility. Network Critical states that it has over 20 years experience. Network Critical says its solutions are used in global networks across sectors including Finance, Telco, Government, Energy and Healthcare.[3]

A network TAP creates an exact copy of all data flowing between two points in a network. TAPs are used to monitor network traffic for performance, security, or compliance. Passive fiber TAPs provide always-on monitoring, including when the power is out. Ethernet TAPs capture network traffic without impacting performance. Ethernet TAPs can be deployed as standalone TAPs or within SmartNA chassis for advanced traffic management.[4][5][6]

Network packet brokers process inputs from multiple sources and deliver the right traffic to the right tools. A hybrid test access point and packet broker combines the functions of a TAP and a packet broker in one package. Hybrid TAP and packet brokers copy network traffic for analysis while the original traffic flows unimpeded. Hybrid TAP and packet brokers offer traffic aggregation, load balancing and port mapping. Hybrid TAP and packet brokers use interchangeable, hot-swappable TAP modules, including fail-safe copper. Hybrid TAP and packet brokers connect to existing network security tools, including protocol analyzers, probes and intrusion detection systems. Hybrid TAP and packet brokers are deployed in places from server rooms and data centers to remote offices and manufacturing plants. Hybrid TAP and packet brokers are built around a 1-2RU chassis.[7][8]

SmartNA-PortPlus is a packet broker that aggregates low-speed links onto fewer high-speed tools. Network Critical offers platforms like SmartNA-PortPlus that TAP, filter and route traffic in one device. The SmartNA-XL chassis combines TAP, bypass and packet broker functionality in a single 1RU unit, with dual hot-swappable power supplies and hot-swap fans.[4][9]

Network Critical provides bypass TAPs for data centres running inline IPS, firewalls and DDoS mitigation tools. A bypass TAP monitors security devices and reroutes network traffic around failing tools. Bypass TAPs send small test signals, known as heartbeats, to security appliances. If a security tool stops responding to heartbeat checks, the bypass TAP redirects network traffic around the problematic device. SmartNA-XL bypass TAPs detect when inline security tools fail and redirect traffic in real-time. The bypass TAP chassis is managed through the Drag-n-Vu web GUI via HTTPS, or CLI via SSH. The bypass TAP chassis supports RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication, authorization and accounting.[9][10]

INVIKTUS is a zero-trust security solution. INVIKTUS network security is built on the zero-trust framework and analyzes and validates traffic. A data diode enforces one-way communication at the hardware level. Network Critical data diodes are offered as standalone devices or integrated into monitoring tools like TAPs, Packet Brokers and SmartNA systems. Network Critical data diodes support all IP-based protocols. Network Critical describes its data diodes as suitable for deployment in highly regulated sectors, such as military, ICS and SCADA infrastructure.[1][11][12][13]

Network Critical offers OT network monitoring that covers industrial network traffic with OT-specific protocols including Modbus and DNP3. Environmentally protected OT devices feature ruggedized enclosures designed to withstand harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, dust, moisture and vibration. The environmentally protected OT devices list an extended temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.[12]

Bourne Leisure deployed SmartNA-XL to aggregate eight 1Gbps links onto a single 10Gbps security tool per site. Network TAPs were deployed in the Airbus network in the avionics bus analyser known as FdXplorer.[2][3][5][9][12]

Network Critical on the record

Sources

Network Critical full record

  1. [1]networkcritical.comNetwork Critical · networkcritical.com · undated page, accessed November 8, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Stars group case studyNetwork Critical · networkcritical.com · undated page, accessed November 8, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Aviation Case Study | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Network TAPs | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Passive Fiber TAPs | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Ethernet TAPs | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Network Visibility Solutions | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Bypass TAPs for Inline Data Centre Security | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Network Bypass TAPs | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Healthcare Case Study | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]OT Network Monitoring Solutions | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Data Diodes | Network CriticalNetwork Critical · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

TXOne Networks full record

  1. [1]ProductsTXOne Networks · txone.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Network security solution asset vulnerability managementTXOne Networks · txone.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Ot cybersecurity provider txone networks expands its presence in europeTXOne Networks via STT Info · sttinfo.fi · published April 13, 2022 · Tier B
  4. [4]CompanyTXOne Networks · txone.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]TXOne Networks | Operations-First OT Security CompanyTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Deployment Architecture | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Stellar OT Endpoint Protection | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Edge Network Security | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]OT Asset Discovery & Risk Assessment | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Comprehensive OT Security Protection | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Zero-Disruption OT Security | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]TXOne Networks Previews Stellar Discover: Safe OT Endpoint Visibility Without Disrupting OperationsTXOne Networks · published April 17, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Siemens Validates TXOne Stellar Again for WinCC OA, Strengthening Cybersecurity in Industrial SCADA SystemsTXOne Networks · published March 25, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]TXOne Networks Expands the Element Portfolio with Virtual Portable Inspector, Extending Operational Inspection Across Modern OT EnvironmentsTXOne Networks · published June 30, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Deployment Architecture | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Stellar Protect: Full Prevention for Endpoints | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]StellarOne: Unified OT Endpoint Management | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Portable Inspector | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  19. [19]ElementOne OT Security Management | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  20. [20]Legacy System Life Extension | TXOne NetworksTXOne Networks · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

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