Background & Assignment Description

Seco (Sandvik Group) is in the middle of a major digital transformation of its production environments, driven by increased IoT adoption, real-time analytics, automation and connected manufacturing systems. This transformation has exposed structural and security limitations in the current network landscape, where IT and OT environments remain largely flat, inconsistently segmented and insufficiently protected against cyber threats.

Multiple independent assessments (FM Global, AFRY, EY and the Digital Security Improvement Program) have identified IT/OT network segmentation as a critical risk area. The current architecture does not meet internal security frameworks, insurance requirements or emerging regulatory demands such as NIS2, nor customer expectations regarding industrial cybersecurity.

The lack of robust separation between IT and OT environments, combined with insufficient segmentation within OT networks, creates unacceptable risk of lateral movement from corporate IT into critical production systems. This represents a direct threat to operational continuity, production stability and long-term digitalization ambitions.

Objective of the Initiative

The IT/OT Network Segmentation initiative aims to establish a secure, standardized and scalable network architecture that:

• Protects Seco’s production environments from cyber incidents
• Aligns with Sandvik Group and Machining security frameworks
• Meets regulatory, insurance and customer requirements
• Enables future digital manufacturing capabilities such as autonomous factories, advanced analytics, remote operations and AI-driven decision-making

The initiative includes:

• Implementation of IT/OT network separation
• Deployment of OT firewalls and Industrial DMZ (IDMZ)
• Enforcement of default-deny traffic policies
• Establishment of a governance model clarifying IT and OT responsibilities across production units

The project is already ongoing and transitioning from pre-study into establishment and execution phase. The role is a key delivery role within this transformation.

Roles & Responsibilities

Purpose

Accountable for delivering the project on time, on budget, and within scope.

1. Lead Delivery (Scope–Time–Cost–Quality)

• Drive the project through all phases according to the Project Model (Initiating → Planning → Execution → Closing)
• Maintain and control the project plan, milestones, forecasts, and progress updates

2. Secure Resources & Enable the Team

• Request and secure required competencies from line/resource owners
• Delegate and clarify tasks; motivate, align and support the project team

3. Communicate & Report

• Provide clear, structured updates to Sponsor & SteerCo (status, risks, deviations, decisions needed)
• Anchor decisions and ensure stakeholder alignment across functions

4. Manage Risks, Issues & Change

• Identify, assess, escalate, and mitigate risks and deviations
• Manage scope changes

5. Ensure Governance & Documentation

• Produce and maintain required governance documentation (Project Plan, Risk Plan, Milestone Plan, Sustainability Analysis, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with Seco project governance and decision-point requirements

6. Enable Business Readiness & Handover

• Prepare receiving organization for adoption and operational ownership
• Secure smooth handover and complete project closure with lessons learned

Required Personal Qualities & Competence (Must-haves)

• Self-driven and proactive
• Strong communication skills (written, visual, verbal)
• Highly structured and delivery-oriented
• Broad understanding of both IT and OT environments
• Experience from manufacturing / industrial environments