Securing devices to process control systems
US9397836B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/24167
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques for securing a device for use in or with a process plant include provisioning the device with a key generated at least in part from data indicative of necessary conditions and/or attributes that must be met before the device is allowed access to a network of the process plant. Upon initialization, the device determines, based on the key, whether or not the necessary conditions are met, and the device isolates itself or accesses the process control network accordingly. Keys and the necessary conditions/attributes indicated therein may be based on, for example, location, time, context, customer, supplier, particular plant, manufacturer, user, data type, device type, and/or other criteria. Additionally, sub-keys associated with a key may be generated from another set of necessary conditions/attributes. Sub-keys may be provided by a different entity than the key provider entity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.