CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Network Critical vs Waterfall Security Solutions

Network Critical sells modular TAP and Packet Broker solutions for network visibility. Waterfall Security Solutions offers software-enabled hardware platforms. 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
  • Waterfall Security Solutions
Network Critical vs Waterfall Security Solutions: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Network CriticalNetwork Critical sells modular TAP and Packet Broker solutions for network visibility.networkcritical.comWaterfall Security SolutionsWaterfall Security Solutions offers software-enabled hardware platforms.waterfall-security.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.
  • Unidirectional Gateways[1][6][7][8][9][11][12][13]Hardware that enforces one-way data flow.
  • HERA[3][5]Hardware-Enforced Remote Access for OT networks.
  • WF-500 DIN Rail[10]A Unidirectional Security Gateway in a compact design.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Founded
Not stated on its pages2007[2]
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 pagesNot stated on its pages
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.Not written yet
Last verified
November 8, 2026November 9, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Network Critical and Waterfall Security Solutions 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; Waterfall Security Solutions's is Unidirectional gateways and secure transfer.
  • 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. Waterfall Security Solutions lists Unidirectional Gateways, HERA and WF-500 DIN Rail.
  • Waterfall Security Solutions was founded in 2007.

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: Waterfall Security Solutions

What Unidirectional Gateways does[1][6][7][8][9][11][12][13]
A Unidirectional Gateway enforces one-way data flow in hardware, with no inbound attack path through it. Unidirectional Gateways replicate historians, databases, OPC servers and more to business networks.
What HERA does[3][5]
HERA, Hardware-Enforced Remote Access, provides the functionality of remote access. Hardware Enforced Remote Access enables remote management, updates, and troubleshooting for OT networks.

Questions about Network Critical and Waterfall Security Solutions

What do Network Critical and Waterfall Security Solutions sell?
Network Critical sells Network TAPs, Packet Brokers, Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker, Bypass TAPs, INVIKTUS and 2 more. Waterfall Security Solutions sells Unidirectional Gateways, HERA and WF-500 DIN Rail.
Are Network Critical and Waterfall Security Solutions in the same category?
They share OT and ICS security. Network Critical's primary category is Network visibility and traffic brokering and Waterfall Security Solutions's is Unidirectional gateways and secure transfer.
When were Network Critical and Waterfall Security Solutions founded?
Waterfall Security Solutions was founded in 2007.
Who are Network Critical and Waterfall Security Solutions sold to?
Network Critical provides bypass TAPs for data centres running inline IPS, firewalls and DDoS mitigation tools.

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

Waterfall Security Solutions full record

  1. [1]waterfall-security.comWaterfall Security Solutions · waterfall-security.com · published July 6, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]CompanyWaterfall Security Solutions · waterfall-security.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Hardware-enforced OT Security | Waterfall Security SolutionsWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]OT Visibility Without the Trade-Off: Waterfall & Siemens Energy | Waterfall Security SolutionsWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Cyber Security in the Government Sector | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Cyber Security for Rail Industry | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Cyber Security for Metals & Mining | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Cyber Security in the Oil and Gas Industry | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Cyber Security for Manufacturing | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]WF 500 DIN RAIL | Waterfall Security SolutionsWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Cyber Security for Electric Power | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Cyber Security for Water Treatment | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Facilities Cyber Security Solutions | Waterfall SecurityWaterfall Security Solutions · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

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