PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) is presenting a new joint technical position paper on the secure use of industrial communication protocols. The document was developed as part of an international collaboration with the FieldComm Group, the ODVA, and the OPC Foundation.
The white paper “Secure Deployment of Industrial Communication Protocols – A Risk Management Based Approach” describes a practical, risk-based approach for the secure deployment of industrial protocols - including PROFINET, IO-Link, PROFIBUS, and other established technologies - in automation architectures.
Among other things, the document demonstrates how integrated security functions, e.g., from PROFINET, in combination with zones and conduit concepts, network segmentation, and organizational measures, make a significant contribution to the cyber resilience of industrial plants.
With this joint paper, the participating standardization organizations underscore their commitment to interoperability, security, and industrial practicality. Instead of isolated solutions, PI pursues a holistic approach in which protocols, system architectures, and operators jointly contribute to security.
The document is aimed at plant operators, system integrators, automation manufacturers, and security experts, and provides concrete guidance for the secure use of industrial communication - both today and with a view to upcoming regulatory requirements.
The paper is now available for free download on the PI website (www.profibus.com).