Ann Arbor, Mich., USA, Nov. 16, 2011 — Manufacturers are increasing connectivity between plant floor and enterprise systems to boost productivity and reduce time to market, but interconnectivity can also bring undesirable security risks. ODVA announced today the availability of a new guidelines document, Securing EtherNet/IP™ Networks, which discusses cyber-security recommendations for automation networks, including how to determine and deploy security strategies for various network types.

 

“In the past, manufacturers were able to secure industrial control systems simply by controlling physical access to their automation components,” said Katherine Voss, executive director, ODVA. “Today’s demand for increased productivity requires interconnectivity through industrial Ethernet – most often EtherNet/IP, as it provides unprecedented visibility into real-time machine and supervisory systems. As many businesses are concerned about the security risks that come from a free flow of information, ODVA outlines how to manage risks with the implementation of processes and technology.” 

 

Numerous ODVA member companies collaborated on the new security guidelines. “As one of the major global suppliers of network and Internet business solutions, Cisco has a long history of helping companies develop and deploy security strategies at the enterprise level. Our collaboration on these security guidelines document demonstrate this commitment,” said Chet Namboodri, managing director, Global Manufacturing Industry, Cisco. “We are focused on securing EtherNet/IP networks because this network is fully compatible with Cisco's commercial networking technologies and is the most developed, proven and complete industrial Ethernet network available today.

 

ODVA recognizes the complexity manufacturers face when trying to identify and contain security issues in their businesses, and does not attempt to provide an exhaustive list of security risks, precautions or mitigation steps. Rather, this document aims to provide users with a starting point for thinking about what cyber-security means for industrial networks, what a security strategy looks like and direct readers to additional resources and information.

 

In the guidelines, ODVA outlines key security concerns in industrial automation, and provide guidance and resources for processes changes to mitigate risk, including information on:

Founded in 1995, ODVA is a global association whose members are comprised of the world’s leading automation companies. ODVA’s mission is to advance open, interoperable information and communication technologies in industrial automation. ODVA recognizes its media independent network protocol, the Common Industrial Protocol or “CIP” – and the network adaptations of CIP – EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, CompoNet and ControlNet – as its core technology and the primary common interest of its membership. ODVA’s vision is to contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of the global community by transforming the model for information and communication technology in the industrial ecosystem. For future interoperability of production systems and the integration of the production systems with other systems, ODVA embraces the adoption of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and standard, unmodified Internet and Ethernet technologies as a guiding principle wherever possible. This principal is exemplified by EtherNet/IP – the world’s number one industrial Ethernet network. 

Heidi Wight

Padilla Speer Beardsley

+1 612.455.1795

hwight at psbpr.com

 

Adrienne Meyer

ODVA

4220 Varsity Drive, Suite A, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-5006 USA

+1 734.975.8840

ameyer at odva.org