More security for industrial networking

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 28, 2004

GarrettCom Europe is now offering industrial Ethernet networking equipment with built-in safeguards to prevent unauthorised access.

GarrettCom Europe is now offering industrial Ethernet networking equipment with built-in safeguards to prevent unauthorised access.

The latest release of its MNS-6K Ethernet management software boasts secure web management (SWM) functionality providing authentication and encryption to assure that web connections with the factory floor are secure.

Increasing integration of IT and factory floors through Ethernet infrastructures is raising potential vulnerabilities from greater security threats.

Reassuringly, GarrettCom's industrial Ethernet networking equipment uses security techniques, which are common to corporate networks and used by the world's financial institutions for Internet commercial transactions.

"In a post-9/11 world, it would be irresponsible for vendors to present web management for industrial applications without providing strong protection against misuse", said Frank Madren, President, GarrettCom.

"A password is not enough".

"Market conditions and technology are now coming together to provide viable secure web management for industrial applications".

"This release of MNS-6K is the first step in a comprehensive security programme that we will roll out over the coming year", he continued.

Until now, users have been reluctant to take advantage of web-based system management and the significant convenience and financial savings it can provide.

The reason for this is that the lack of authentication and encryption in industrial Ethernet products can potentially allow attackers to steal, alter data, or conduct denial of service attacks.

GarrettCom is the first edge switch manufacturer in the industrial marketplace to offer secure access solutions.

Release 3.0 of the company's MNS-6K Ethernet management software includes advanced security capabilities including: SNMPv3, access control, port security, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) to enable the embedded web server in 6K switches to handle secure HTTP (HTTPS), the highest level of access security available.

SWM incorporates a graphical user interface (GUI) which provides access to full configuration and control including graphical images of the 6K's port configurations, port statistics, and utilisation figures.

Additionally, virtual LANs (VLANs) provide the ability to create multiple IP subnets within an Ethernet switch.

No longer is industrial LAN management confined to draconian access using console ports or telnet sessions.

Engineers and service technicians can manage an Ethernet switch over the Internet from any location using a browser.

"HV Power provides technologies that enhance network security within the New Zealand power industry and industrial market".

"GarrettCom's secure web management extensions to its MNS network management software provides the capabilities we have been looking for to enable our industrial customers to implement the convenience of web access", said Mike Strong, Services Manager, HV Power.

Security in traffic systems LANs is key to acceptance and development in governmental and industrial applications.

SWM features are bundled with the basic MNS-6K network management software, release 3.0, which is available on any Magnum 6K-Series managed switch.

Owners of 6K managed switches purchased prior to October 2004 may receive a free upgrade by accessing MNS-6K Release 3.0 on GarrettCom's FTP site.