Emerson validates Ovation with cybersecurity test tool

Emerson is among companies receiving an Achilles Certification. Achilles Satellite Security Assurance Platform to enhance internal robustness testing best practices for the Ovation control system.

By Control Engineering Staff December 11, 2008

Vancouver, BC, Canada – Safe, secure, and reliable control solutions result from Emerson’s Power & Water Solution division use of Achilles Satellite Security Assurance Platform from Wurldtech Security Technologies Inc . The security software enhances internal robustness testing best practices for the Ovation control system, the companies say.

By integrating Achilles into established product development processes, Emerson Process Management and other global equipment manufacturers of IP-based systems are reducing business risk for customers by proactively identifying, isolating and remediating vulnerabilities in process automation and control systems before they are deployed; minimizing downtime and improving the overall security, availability, and integrity of global critical infrastructure.

“Security and robustness testing is an important element of our product development process and enables our world-class development team to continuously enhance the overall quality of our automation portfolio,” said Carl Staab, manager network and systems security for Emerson’s Power & Water Solutions division. “To ensure our global customer base receives the highest level of on-going security assurance we selected Achilles to validate system performance under real-world conditions and improve the security and reliability of our customer’s operations.”

Achilles, developed specifically to address cyber security challenges unique to the industrial automation industry:

Can diagnose known and unknown vulnerabilities in SCADA and process control systems;

Mitigates and manages cyber security risk from design through deployment;

Is widely deployed among global operators, systems integrators and vendors who supply and manage critical infrastructure; and

Is used in power, energy, water, telecommunications, manufacturing, as well as military and intelligence applications.

Global process automation vendors seek ways to improve product security and are rapidly adopting expert cyber-security testing as a crucial component of the development lifecycle,” said Tyler Williams, ceo and president of Wurldtech Security Technologies.

The new Control Engineering cybersecurity blog with Matt Luallen and Steve Hamburg of Encari provide advice about keep automation and controls secure.

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske , editor in chief Control Engineering Information Control eNewsletter Register here .