CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Network Critical vs Xage Security

Network Critical sells modular TAP and Packet Broker solutions for network visibility. Xage Security sells the Xage Fabric Platform, which provides unified Zero Trust security across data centers, cloud, digital assets, cyber-physical systems, OT, LLMs, and AI agents. 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
  • Xage Security
Network Critical vs Xage Security: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Network CriticalNetwork Critical sells modular TAP and Packet Broker solutions for network visibility.networkcritical.comXage SecurityXage Security sells the Xage Fabric Platform, which provides unified Zero Trust security across data centers, cloud, digital assets, cyber-physical systems, OT, LLMs, and AI agents.xage.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.
  • Xage Critical Asset Protection[3]Uses identity-based microsegmentation and granular policy enforcement to isolate vulnerable, legacy, and high-value systems.
  • Xage Zero Trust Remote Access[12]Provides zero trust access control for local and remote users and assets.
  • Cybersecurity Services[3][8]Provides consulting and implementation services for industrial cybersecurity programs.
  • TSA Directive Compliance Services[8]Delivers consulting capabilities for TSA Directive compliance.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesPalo Alto, United States[2]
Founded
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
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.Xage Security offers TSA Directive compliance services for oil and gas pipeline operators. A steel manufacturer deployed Xage Zero Trust Remote Access across its North American facilities. Xage Fabric nodes can be deployed on premises, in the cloud, and at remote sites, and Xage offers a local deployment option for air-gapped networks. Customers choose Xage to manage contractor and vendor access and to meet critical compliance deadlines.
Last verified
November 8, 2026November 9, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Network Critical and Xage Security 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; Xage Security's is OT and ICS security.
  • Network Critical is also filed under DDoS protection. Xage Security is also filed under Zero trust network access.
  • Network Critical lists Network TAPs, Packet Brokers, Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker, Bypass TAPs, INVIKTUS and 2 more. Xage Security lists Xage Critical Asset Protection, Xage Zero Trust Remote Access, Cybersecurity Services and TSA Directive Compliance Services.
  • Xage Security is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States.

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: Xage Security

What Xage Critical Asset Protection does[3]
Xage Critical Asset Protection isolates vulnerable, legacy, and high-value systems without requiring disruptive network redesign. Xage offers granular access control, segmentation, and virtual patching for CPS, OT, IoT, and infrastructure assets.
What Xage Zero Trust Remote Access does[12]
Xage products provide zero trust access control for local and remote users and assets across IT, OT, cyberphysical systems, and the cloud. Xage provides multi-factor authentication and SSO for every application, device, and all data. Xage products require no agents, clients, firewall rule updates, or network changes.
What Cybersecurity Services does[3][8]
Xage offers services to strategize and architect an industrial cybersecurity program based on identity and asset-centric Zero Trust, IEC 62443, C2M2, NIST 800, NERC, and related industry standards. Xage offers services to transform and integrate cybersecurity measures, capabilities, and controls across OT and OT-IT environments.
What TSA Directive Compliance Services does[8]
Xage services include assessment of existing cybersecurity controls readiness to meet SD02D requirements. Xage services include creation of an Implementation Plan ready for TSA approval.

Questions about Network Critical and Xage Security

What do Network Critical and Xage Security sell?
Network Critical sells Network TAPs, Packet Brokers, Hybrid TAP and Packet Broker, Bypass TAPs, INVIKTUS and 2 more. Xage Security sells Xage Critical Asset Protection, Xage Zero Trust Remote Access, Cybersecurity Services and TSA Directive Compliance Services.
Are Network Critical and Xage Security in the same category?
They share OT and ICS security. Network Critical's primary category is Network visibility and traffic brokering and Xage Security's is OT and ICS security.
Where are Network Critical and Xage Security headquartered?
Xage Security is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States.
Who are Network Critical and Xage Security sold to?
Network Critical provides bypass TAPs for data centres running inline IPS, firewalls and DDoS mitigation tools. Xage Security offers TSA Directive compliance services for oil and gas pipeline operators.

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

Xage Security full record

  1. [1]Xage fabric platformXage Security · xage.com · published August 13, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Full stack engineerXage Security · xage.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Xage Security | The Zero Trust Identity PlatformXage Security · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Xage Fabric Platform - Xage SecurityXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Xage Security Products | Xage SecurityXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Shield Your Enterprise with Zero Trust Access from XageXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Zero Trust Data Exchange for OT, IT, and Cloud | Xage SecurityXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]TSA Directive Compliance Services - Xage SecurityXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Expert Industrial Cybersecurity Professional Services - Xage SecurityXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Xage PartnersXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]About Us – Xage SecurityXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]World's Largest Steel Manufacturer Selects Xage Zero Trust Remote AccessXage Security · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

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