IT security in automation


More security by prevention - physical IT security in automation systems

Whether in data centres or control rooms - today high-quality IT components are used everywhere in order to realise complex processes.

Especially in "hostile" industrial surroundings where heat, dust, humidity, EMC and vibration belong to everyday life it is necessary to "keep alive" sensitive hardware and software systems by comprehensive security solutions. With the monitoring system CMC-TC Rittal offers modular and flexible IT security solutions for automation. Due to the increased use of modern information technology (IT) in automation systems the methods of monitoring relevant physical parameters in industry and IT increasingly align. This includes analogue/digital signals, access control, temperature, humidity, smoke etc. All parameters that have influence on the electronics in use must be controlled.

Simply by plug & play

In IT these parameters are often monitored with specially developed infrastructure monitoring systems. The Computer-Multi-Control CMC-TC is offered for a consistent monitoring of physical rack and room security. It can be simply managed by a plug & play sensor technology via the Internet and by remote control. The core of the modular system is the processing unit that has an Ethernet network connection which sensors can be connected. Only those sensors needed in the respective surroundings are used without having to think of signal types or port assignment. Thus special applications like access control by door latches and card readers or monitoring of filter fans and cooling units can be achieved more quickly. Since the whole system can be modularly extended it is possible to monitor units on more than 100 IT enclosures. Overlaid management systems are often integrated in these applications.

Security leaks in the industrial field

In contrast to this, the access to control and network enclosures is often not monitored in industry. Easy access via simple double-bit keys is often possible. Aggravated conditions like high voltage main, heat losses, dust, humidity, chemicals, oils, grease, vibration and EMC can disturb the proper operation of IT hardware. In addition to enclosures and cases with the appropriate protection category it is necessary to monitor climate control units, flows, vibration, humidity, temperature and access in order to avoid hardware failure and production downtime. Due to the increasing complexity of the components and production networks based on Industrial Ethernet in particular, more and more different people and departments such as quality control technology, IT or climate control technology are involved in the solution of an automation task. Access control and monitoring of automation infrastructure will be of much greater importance in the future. State-of-the-art solutions must follow the knowledge of all responsible in order to exclude faulty operation and downtime. As a clear tendency towards modularisation is visible it is necessary to make functions simple and clear for the user.

Why CMC-TC?

Infrastructure monitoring systems like the CMC-TC also offer a modular solution for the industrial field with the clearly defined task of monitoring physical ambient parameters. The system can be used separately as well as in connection with existing automation systems. Monitoring solutions with CMC differ from the realisation with PLC as follows: For infrastructure monitoring systems


Even when networking and setting-up operation of network components within automation by IT service providers and departments are carried out, access to PLC or to the automation system is often undesired in practice. With the use of CMC-TC that can be installed and maintained by IT staff and QA personnel, an intervention of the active automation by qualified personnel is not necessary, a connection to automation, however, is possible at any time (Ethernet, OPC, SNMP). The great strength of the system is its simplicity.