Year-long research project tests technologies to improve cybersecurity in critical systems

Kepware Technologies, a PTC business developing industrial connectivity software, today announced its participation in the latest research report commissioned by the Linking Oil & Gas Industry to Improve Cybersecurity (LOGIIC) program. The Real-Time Data Transfer Project (RTDT) report highlights vital factors that should be considered when implementing an RTDT solution in the Oil & Gas sector.

Security in energy markets is especially critical given the volatile nature of assets and the world’s reliance on energy—making Oil & Gas one of the biggest targets for cybersecurity attacks. The LOGIIC program was formed to address these concerns and facilitate cooperative research, development, testing, and evaluation procedures to improve cybersecurity in petroleum industry digital control systems. It is an ongoing collaboration of oil and natural gas companies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate.

“We are committed to improving the level of cybersecurity in critical systems of interest to the oil and natural gas sector,” said Brian Peterson, acting LOGIIC Secretary with the Automation Federation, LOGIIC’s host organization. “This is increasingly challenging given the influx of connected devices and amounts of data that organizations are managing today.”

Since RTDT technologies transfer real-time data outside of core industrial automation and control system (IACS) environments, they must meet rigorous standards to ensure the protection of core IACS assets, data, and operational stability. The RTDT report found that solutions employing third-party components (such as OPC clients, firewalls, and databases) require security at all layers. Like encryption, the OPC implementation is particularly critical to ensure the secure movement of data.

“By testing third-party technologies, our most recent report helps to assure asset owners that all components in the supply chain are configured, patched, and implemented according to the original vendor’s security recommendations—allowing asset owners to worry less about security and focus on business operations,” said Peterson.

Kepware’s OPC tunneling solution, which was tested for the report, leverages the OPC Unified Architecture (UA) open standard. It uses a client/server architecture for secure and reliable real-time data tunneling through firewalls and across the Internet, WAN, or LAN. Eliminating the reliance on Microsoft COM and DCOM technology allows for easy remote communications between devices, data sources, and applications.

“At Kepware, we continuously test our technology and strive to release products that are secure—which is why we gladly accepted the invitation to participate in the LOGIIC study,” said Stephen Sponseller, Business Director, Oil and Gas, Kepware. “Nothing can replace the value of a third-party evaluation from a regarded organization—especially one as focused and experienced as LOGIIC. This report provides insights that will empower engineers in the energy market looking to implement RTDT solutions in a secure and effective manner.”