Case Study: Grupo Merelec achieves integrated OT and data center security with Fortinet Security Fabric

Regional Business Group in the Energy Sector Secures OT and Data Center Infrastructure with the Fortinet Security Fabric

Grupo Merelec, a Salvadoran energy group founded in 2001 that now spans 16 companies across six countries and invests in clean energy like photovoltaic plants, faced growing cybersecurity and connectivity needs as it expanded. In 2021 the company needed to secure a new PV plant’s OT environment (PLCs, SCADA, IoT devices, smart meters and inverters) and renovate its main data center — all while coping with harsh heat and humidity and a lack of network segmentation, visibility and centralized management.

Working with partner Ecssa, Grupo Merelec deployed the Fortinet Security Fabric (FortiGate NGFW, FortiSwitch and FortiLink) to centralize security and management across IT and OT and integrate on‑premises systems with Azure. The solution used fewer appliances, improved connectivity and segmentation, enabled remote management, and supported the company’s ISO 27001 objectives — resulting in better visibility, stronger protection, reduced vendor complexity, and an IT team freed to focus on strategic initiatives.

Grupo Merelec

José Alfonso Aráuz

IT Corporate Manager