Chemical Focus
Furthermore, it is important to make sure firewalls are used in the correct manner for them to be effective. Used to separate and protect the control system network from outside networks, to be effective firewalls must be configured properly, ensuring only necessary traffic gets through them. If a network needs to be accessed
from two separate locations, virtual private networks and data encryption is a secure way to do so. Both ends of communication must be trustworthy sources and data encryption must be used carefully to ensure encrypted messages are not analysed by virus scanners. Often hackers will use a network to
release a virus into the system. For this reason it is vital to ensure virus scanners are kept up-to-date. Additionally, modern automation
control systems tend to be made up of a number of layers of components. These components are common targets for hackers so it is imperative security is kept up-to-date. Manufacturers such as Siemens are continually releasing updated patches, designed to make
sure a system is secure. Siemens has dedicated laboratories to test patches, to ensure they are compatible with the individual process system. These have to be implemented as quickly as possible to ensure protection is maintained.
S
iemens is continually releasing updated patches, designed to make sure a system is secure. It has dedicated laboratories to test patches, to ensure they are compatible with the individual process system.
A final way that a manufacturing process network can be made more secure is by IP hardening. Commercially available PCs often contain a number of programs as standard that are unnecessary for a process system. Software such as Outlook, Internet Explorer and Media Player are not needed in a process system. They are also among the easiest programs to write a virus against, so are popular for hackers to use to gain access to a network. n
Sean McDonagh is business manager, Chemical, Siemens UK & Ireland, based in Manchester, UK.
www.siemens.com
For more information ✔ at
www.engineerlive.com/epe
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