EC: mGuard Secure Cloud

Control Security: Phoenix Contact's mGuard Secure Cloud (mSC) is a web-based service that allows FL mGuard users to securely communicate with and support industrial equipment over the Internet. This is a Control Engineering 2015 Engineers’ Choice award winner.

By Control Engineering October 20, 2014

The mGuard Secure Cloud (mSC) from Phoenix Contact is a web-based service that allows FL mGuard users to securely communicate with and support industrial equipment over the Internet.

The mSC uses award-winning FL mGuard hardware to give OEMs, machine builders, and system integrators a secure, easy, and cost-effective way to access machines and systems anywhere in the world over the Internet. This improves service and reduces travel and costs associated with providing customer support. Because many businesses do not always have the resources to implement, host, and support their own VPN solution, Phoenix Contact essentially acts as the customer’s IT department. Phoenix Contact hosts the mGuard Secure Cloud infrastructure at its state-of-the-art data center near Harrisburg, Pa., helping users eliminate the hardware and installation costs of an in-house VPN.

The mGuard Secure Cloud utilizes the IPSec VPN protocol with high-level security. This includes AES-256 bit encryption, two-factor user/technician authentication and X.509 certificates for machine authentication. Backed by dedicated high-speed bandwidth, the mSC performs five times faster than similar services that rely on Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology.

After signing up, users can define machines and service technicians they want to connect; by providing a few pieces of information-such as IP address scheme-the mGuard configurations will be created for these users, allowing them to connect to the mSC server. Once complete, the user can log in and connect to the machine they want to access. No IT intervention is required in order to go through firewalls or corporate routers.

The FL mGuard is a family of industrial security appliances bringing IT technology to the factory floor. Hardware options include DIN rail-mounted models with hazardous location approvals, PCI cards, and portable USB-powered form factors.

Phoenix Contact

www.phoenixcontact.com