Network Perception

About Network Perception

Network Perception provides a cybersecurity platform for operational technology (OT) networks, specializing in network access verification and visualization for critical infrastructure. The company was founded in 2014 by Dr. Robin Berthier and a team of security experts from the University of Illinois. The founding was in response to a call from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security to develop solutions to protect the nation's electrical grid from cyber threats.

The company’s flagship product, NP-View, is a lightweight, non-invasive platform that provides network visualization, segmentation analysis, and compliance reporting. It functions by analyzing the configuration files of firewalls, routers, and switches to create a network topology map, identify potential risks, and verify network segmentation without disrupting operations. This process helps organizations in sectors like energy, utilities, and manufacturing to proactively assess their security posture, identify misconfigurations, and ensure compliance with standards such as NERC-CIP, TSA, and IEC 62443. The platform is designed to be used offline, ensuring no risk to ongoing operations.

In October 2024, Network Perception was acquired by Dragos, Inc., a global leader in OT cybersecurity. The acquisition integrated Network Perception's NP-View capabilities into the Dragos Platform, creating a dual-layer view that shows both real-time network connections and potential access paths. This combination offers a more comprehensive security solution for critical infrastructure by enhancing visibility, compliance management, and defense against lateral movement by adversaries within OT environments. The entire Network Perception team, including CEO Robin Berthier, joined Dragos to continue their shared mission of safeguarding critical infrastructure.