GarrettCom Ethernet Networks and Web Management Manual De Usuario

More and more industrial sites are taking advantage of Ethernet as a mature, end-to-end, standards-

based networking, communications and data transmission protocol because it offers convenience and 

efficiency that bring higher performance and lower cost.  In addition, the standards that are in place 

support interoperability among many competing equipment vendors as well as world-wide 

interconnectivity. At the same time, more extensive use of Ethernet/IP and other well-documented 

protocols will make hacking and disruption easier if adequate security measures are not taken.  

Password protection, encryption, access authorization and firewalls are some of the many tools 

available to protect against cyber invasion. 

 

While there are similarities between security in enterprise business IT systems (which protects 

activities such as bank and stock transactions and on-line purchases), and that required by industrial 

control systems, several groups have been chartered to address the technology opportunities and 

challenges specific to industrial applications.  At the broadest level, the Instrumentation Systems and 

Automation Society (ISA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are looking 

at overall security practices for industry. (See APPENDIX A) 

 

On a more specific industrial level, there are groups such as the North American Electric Reliability 

Council, which has been named by the US DoE as the electric energy sector’s coordinator for critical 

infrastructure protection.  The NAERC’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Committee addresses 

security concerns and provides guidelines and requirements for utility systems including SCADA and 

EMS.   

 

No single vendor or single technology is going to make industry safe from intentional cyber attacks.  

Nonetheless, it is critical that vendors of industrial equipment look at ways in which to support the 

overall security effort.  Standards-based Ethernet networks, with cost effective hardware and software 

available from many competing vendors, can make a significant impact. For example, leading Ethernet 

switch vendors are adding security in the switch with IEEE and other standards support for security 

features. 

 

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