IT in Manufacturing


Rockwell Automation launches industrial security appliance

January 2017 IT in Manufacturing

Most IT firewalls today cannot protect against threats to industrial network traffic, which limits their ability to minimise security risks on the plant floor. The Allen-Bradley Stratix 5950 security appliance from Rockwell Automation incorporates new security technologies to help protect plant-floor systems.

The device uses Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) firewall and FirePower technology to create a security boundary between cell/area zones or to help protect a single machine, line or skid. This supports compliance with IEC 62443. The device also uses deep-packet-inspection (DPI) technology. Developed in collaboration with Cisco, the DPI technology enables inspection of the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and other industrial protocols.

“Combining ASA firewall, FirePower and DPI technology gives IT professionals the granular visibility and control they need to protect industrial networks,” said Divya Venkataraman, global product manager, Rockwell Automation. “With the Stratix 5950 appliance, users can now configure and enforce policies that help prevent potentially malicious firmware updates and program downloads. This helps enhance the integrity of plant-floor operations.”

An optional subscription licence is available with the Stratix 5950 security appliance. Similar to a PC-based, anti-virus service, subscribers will receive ongoing threat and application-signature updates to help protect against the latest known security threats.

The new appliance includes four 1-gigabit Ethernet ports, and is available with copper-and-fibre or copper-only, small form-factor pluggable (SFP) slot options. The industrially hardened device is IP30-rated and can withstand electrical shocks, surges and noise. It can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 to 60°C.

The Stratix 5950 security appliance is the first Rockwell Automation product offering with DPI technology, which was announced in April 2016 as part of the strategic alliance between Rockwell Automation and Cisco.

For more information contact Christo Buys, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, [email protected], www.rockwellautomation.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Transforming battery manufacturing processes
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens and Hirano Tecseed, a Japanese machine builder, are partnering to transform battery manufacturing processes.

Read more...
From Trojan takeovers to ransomware roulette
IT in Manufacturing
Cisco’s Cyber Threat Trends Report offers a comprehensive and overview of the evolving cybersecurity landscape, leveraging its vast global reach through the analysis of DNS traffic.

Read more...
The road to decarbonisation in mining
IT in Manufacturing
The mining industry is a key player in global carbon emissions, and ABB’s eMine is at the forefront of efforts to drive the sector’s decarbonisation.

Read more...
Siemens democratises AI-driven PCB design for small and medium electronics teams
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software is making its AI-enhanced electronic systems design technology more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses with PADS Pro Essentials software and Xpedition Standard software.

Read more...
Siemens’ PAVE360 to support new Arm Zena Compute Subsystems
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software is expanding its longstanding relationship with Arm and adding support for the newly launched Arm Zena Compute Subsystems in its PAVE360 software, designed for software-defined vehicles

Read more...
Empowering OEMs in industrial automation
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Organisations are increasingly focusing on empowering OEMs within the industrial automation sector

Read more...
Fortifying the state in a time of cyber siege
IT in Manufacturing
In an era where borders are no longer physical, South Africa is being drawn into a new kind of conflict, one fought not with tanks and missiles, but with lines of code and silent intrusions. The digital battlefield is here, and cyber space has become the next frontier of conflict.

Read more...
Levelling up workplace safety - how gamification is changing the rules of training
IT in Manufacturing
Despite the best intentions, traditional safety training often falls short, with curricula either being too generic, too passive, or ultimately unmemorable. Enter gamification, a shift in training that is redefining how businesses train for safety and live by those principles.

Read more...
Reinventing data centre design: critical changes to meet surging
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
AI technologies are pushing the boundaries of what is possible which, in turn, is presenting data centres with a whole new set of challenges. Fortunately, several options are emerging which include optimising design and infrastructure for efficiency, cooling and management systems

Read more...
Watts next - can IT save the planet
IT in Manufacturing
The digital age’s insatiable demand for computing power has collided with an urgent and pressing need for sustainability. As data centres and AI workloads consume unprecedented energy, IT providers are pivotal in redefining how technology intersects with environmental stewardship.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved