Siemens Opens IIoT Cyber Security Centers in Ohio & Germany

While scanning Automation.Com yesterday, I noticed what I think is a first in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and perhaps the CIM world... 

Siemens has opened Cyber Security Operations Centers in both North America and Europe. This need for a cyber security has been predicted here and I am happy to see the commitment from our friends at Siemens in this area. Their press release is below.

I know that Cisco and IBM are also looking at this area as Cloud, Mobile and Wireless IIoT are dependent upon robust and secure connectivity. 

I liken the time now to what we had in the late 1990's when everybody knew that e-Commerce would be a major internet app, but many didn't trust it with their credit card. It really to indemnification from the banks and good security practices (SSL, HTTPS, CAPTCHA, etc) to make our comfort level high enough to grow the business side. Today we all use it and it has allowed eBay and Amazon to flourish. I predict that IIoT will be pervasive in less than 5 years like these e-commerce technologies and apps we enjoy today. We are moving closer every day - thanks Siemens!   

Press Release:

March 17, 2016 - Siemens opened Cyber Security Operation Centers (CSOC) for the protection of industrial facilities in Lisbon, Munich and Milford, Ohio. Siemens industrial security specialists based at these sites monitor industrial facilities all around the world for cyber threats, warn companies in the event of security incidents and coordinate proactive countermeasures. These protective measures are part of Siemens' extensive Plant Security Services with which the enterprise supports companies in the manufacturing and processing industry in encountering constantly changing security threats and increasing plant availability.

The increased networking of industrial infrastructures ("Internet of Things", "Industrie 4.0") calls for appropriate protective action for the automation environment. This is where the Siemens Plant Security Services enter the picture: these services range from Security Assessments and the installation of protective measures, such as firewalls and virus protection (Security Implementation), through to the continuous surveillance of plants with the Managed Security Services, which is now offered by the CSOCs themselves. If the Siemens experts detect an increased risk, they give the customer an early warning, issue recommendations for proactive countermeasures and coordinate their implementation.

The countermeasures are based on the criticality of the incident and the likely impact on the customer's business. They include modifying firewall rules or providing updates for closing gaps in security. In addition, Siemens provides forensic analyses of security incidents. Companies are then in a position to prepare reports that comply with international standards such as ISO 27002 or IEC 62443. And that is not all – companies also receive a transparent view of their plants' security status. Siemens' Plant Security Services use products from the company's collaboration partner, Intel Security. These include: McAfee VirusScan, McAfee Application Control, McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) as well as McAfee Enterprise Security Manager with Security Information and Event Management.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and inter-nationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. In fiscal 2015, which ended on September 30, 2015, Siemens generated revenue of €75.6 billion and net income of €7.4 billion. At the end of September 2015, the company had around 348,000 employees worldwide. 

Source URL @ Automation.Com