The digital transformation in industrial automation brings increasing requirements for communication between the operating technology (OT) and the computer systems (IT) of industrial enterprises. Automation devices in the OT network provide an increasing amount of data to the IT network, which is needed for efficient production management, minimization of production costs, reducing downtime or predictive planning of maintenance interventions. However, intensive data communication between the OT and the IT network brings, in addition to clearly positive effects, a greater openness of the OT network, and thus its higher vulnerability to cyber attacks.
The OT networks have traditionally been built as almost isolated from the surrounding cyber environment, that way the possibility of being attacked by an external cyber attacker was minimal. Therefore, the requirements for ensuring the cyber security of the OT network were low in the past. However, if we want to make full use of the potential of digital transformations and IIoT technologies, this concept needs to be changed. The modern OT network is not isolated at all; it is necessary to analyze its vulnerabilities, deal with the protection of the entire network as well as individual devices, monitor the network communication, detect potential cyber threats and actively respond to them. The aspect of cyber security thus plays a significant role in modern automation projects.
ThinManager
ThinManager is a software product that enables the use of thin clients in an industrial network. Thin client is a computer without an operating system, or even without the memory storage. With ThinManager, it is possible to provide content (such as a visualization application) to such a device from a single central server. In addition, ThinManager offers a number of other features - blocking USB ports for mouse and keyboard connections only, providing content by location, logging users in with PIN, biometrics, or QR code scanning, user management and authorization, etc. The use of thin clients greatly helps to make complex cyber security solution in OT network. Thin clients do not have problems with patch management and these devices are secured against the unwanted malware.
CIP Security
CIP Security is a network communication protocol that ensures secure data transmission and protection of individual devices in the OT network.
Endpoint authentication - the sender and receiver of a data message are authenticated using certificates or shared keys. The device is thus able to reject a data message comming from an untrusted source.
Data integrity - the TLS message authentication code (HMAC) verifies that the data has not been altered during its transmission within the network. This protects the device against Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks.
Data encryption - data transmitted within the network are encrypted using TLS and DTLS cryptographic protocols. Data communication is thus protected against unauthorized monitoring.
We offer Rockwell Automation products with the native support for the CIP Security protocol.
Software
Hardware
The last of these hardware products - the CIP Security Proxy module - serves as a secure communication provider for devices that do not have native CIP Security support. CIP Security Proxy manages encryption keys and certificates for the protected device and provides its network communication based on the CIP Security protocol.
Claroty CTD – Continuous Threat Detection
Continuous Threat Detection is a modular and scalable software system designed for continuous monitoring of devices and communications within the OT network and for the detection of potential cyber threats.
Cyber security consulting services
In cooperation with our partners, we provide cyber security consulting, design and project assessment in accordance with IEC 62443 standard. The primary goal of this standard is to ensure the safe operation of industrial automation systems and to protect all components of these systems from unwanted interference. We offer a systematic and practical approach to ensuring the cyber security of industrial systems provided by certified experts in this field.
Cyber security consulting services