SSL/TLS

» What is SSL/TLS?
» How does SSL/TLS work?
» What is the difference between SSL and TLS?
» How can SSL/TLS be used in industrial automation?
» What are the benefits of using SSL/TLS in industrial automation?
» What are the risks of not using SSL/TLS?
» How do these security protocols help prevent cyber attacks?
» What are the challenges in implementing SSL/TLS in industrial automation?
» SSL/TLS and Ignition
» Explore Ignition

What is SSL/TLS?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are security protocols used to encrypt communication on the internet. SSL and TLS protect sensitive data such as credit card information, passwords, and personal data. These protocols operate by establishing a secure connection between a web browser and a web server. They encrypt and protect the data they exchange against interception or modification by third parties. SSL and TLS are often referred to as “SSL/TLS” because TLS is actually the successor to SSL, and the two protocols are frequently used together.

How does SSL/TLS work?

SSL/TLS works by establishing a secure connection between a web browser and a web server. This secure connection is initiated through a process called a “handshake,” which involves the following steps:

1. The browser connects to the server and requests a secure connection.
2. The server then sends back a copy of its SSL/TLS certificate to the browser.
3. The browser verifies whether the certificate is from a trusted certification authority and whether it is still valid.
4. The browser sends a message to the server confirming that the certificate has been verified and that the browser wants to secure the connection.
5. The server sends a confirmation to the browser indicating that the secure connection has been activated.
6. At this point, the secure connection is established, ensuring that the data exchange between the browser and the server is secure.

During this handshake, the browser and server also utilize encryption technologies to encrypt the communication between them. This means that if a third party attempts to intercept the transmitted data between the browser and the server, they will not be able to read or understand the contents of the communication. This helps protect sensitive data such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal information exchanged between the browser and the server.

What is the difference between SSL and TLS?

SSL and TLS are both protocols designed to ensure data security during transmission over the internet. SSL originated in the 1990s and was later succeeded by TLS, which is currently the most widely used and up-to-date version.

There are some technical differences between SSL and TLS, but the main distinction is that TLS is more secure than SSL and provides a higher level of security. TLS also offers various improvements over SSL, such as enhanced encryption methods, better authentication, and improved support for new technologies and algorithms.

Another significant difference is that SSL has become outdated and contains vulnerabilities that hackers and malicious actors may exploit. In contrast, the TLS protocol remains up-to-date and continuously improves to meet the ever-changing security needs and standards.

How can SSL/TLS be used in industrial automation?

SSL/TLS can be deployed in various ways within industrial automation. One possibility is securing communication between machines, such as between a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and a SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). This prevents third parties from intercepting or modifying the communication between them.

Another application of SSL/TLS is securing access to control panels of machines and systems. SSL/TLS verifies user data and encrypts communication, thereby preventing unauthorized users from accessing the control panels.

SSL/TLS can also be used to remotely access data, for example, through a mobile app providing access to data on a PLC. SSL/TLS secures the communication between the app and the PLC.

Finally, SSL/TLS can be utilized to secure access to web-based SCADA systems, preventing unauthorized users from accessing the systems and the data stored within them.

What are the benefits of using SSL/TLS in industrial automation?

• Data security: Provides a secure and encrypted connection between various devices and systems in industrial automation. This protects data from interception, manipulation, and theft.
• Safety of business-critical information: Safeguards business-critical information, such as production schedules, production data, and trade secrets. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and manipulation of this information.
• Protection against cyber attacks: Helps protect systems against various types of cyber attacks, such as phishing and other forms of malware.
• Increases system reliability: Reduces the likelihood of system failures and downtime by safeguarding data integrity and securing communication between different devices and systems.
• Compliance with regulations: The use of SSL/TLS in industrial automation is often required to comply with regulations and legislation related to data protection and information security.

What are the risks of not using SSL/TLS?

Not using SSL/TLS may entail various risks:

• Data theft: If communication between a web browser and a web server is not secured with SSL/TLS, a third party can intercept the data they exchange and potentially steal sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card details, and other personal information.
• Data modification: Without SSL/TLS, a third party can also modify or manipulate the data exchanged between the browser and the server. This leads to data interception or the introduction of harmful modifications.
• Phishing: Without SSL/TLS, it is easier for an attacker to carry out a phishing attack and lure users into providing sensitive information because users have no indication that the website is not secure.
• Reputation damage: If a company or organization does not use SSL/TLS to ensure the security of their website, this leads to reputation damage and loss of trust among customers and users.

By using SSL/TLS, a company ensures that sensitive information remains secure and that user confidentiality is maintained.

How do these security protocols help prevent cyber attacks?

SSL/TLS uses encryption to protect transmitted data between various devices and systems. This means that the data is not readable by anyone who does not have access to the correct key to decrypt the data.

Additionally, it employs certificates to verify the authenticity of devices and systems. This means that only authorized devices and systems have access to the network and the data stored within it.

Finally, SSL/TLS ensures that the exchanged data between different devices and systems cannot be altered during transmission. This means that the network is not manipulable by external parties.

However, it is important to note that SSL/TLS is just one component of a comprehensive security strategy and that implementing SSL/TLS alone is not sufficient to fully protect industrial systems from cyber attacks.

What are the challenges in implementing SSL/TLS in industrial automation?

There are several challenges in implementing SSL/TLS in industrial automation, including:

• Compatibility: It may cause issues with older machines and systems that are not compatible with newer protocols and certificate formats.
• Complexity: Implementation in an industrial environment is complex and often requires expertise in network security and certificate management.
• Performance: Encryption processes negatively impact the performance of machines and systems, leading to delays or disruptions in the production process.
• Certificate Management: Managing security certificates is often complex, especially in environments with hundreds or thousands of machines and systems, all requiring a certificate.
• Cost: Implementation of SSL/TLS can be costly as it requires investment in the necessary infrastructure, certificates, and expertise.
• Interoperability: Implementation is challenging in a heterogeneous environment where different systems from different vendors need to communicate with each other.

SSL/TLS and Ignition

Ignition is an industrial automation software widely used in the industry, offering the ability to use SSL/TLS for securing communication between machines, users, and systems. Generally, these security protocols contribute to securing Ignition and the industrial automation systems running on it by providing encryption and authentication of communication between different devices and systems. Therefore, it is important for companies to consider SSL/TLS as a way to secure and protect their industrial automation systems against cyber attacks.

There are several reasons why Ignition is a good choice for this compared to other packages:

• Integration: Ignition offers extensive integration capabilities with various industrial protocols and devices. This makes it easy to implement SSL/TLS security in existing industrial systems.
• Scalability: Ignition is scalable and can be used in both small and large systems. It can also be deployed in environments where multiple gateways communicate with each other over a secure network.
• Flexibility: Ignition provides flexible options for managing SSL/TLS certificates and configurations, making it easy to adjust security settings to the company’s needs.
• User-friendliness: Ignition has an intuitive user interface and offers extensive documentation and support, making it easy to implement and manage SSL/TLS security.
• Open platform: Ignition utilizes open standards and open-source technologies, making it easy to integrate with other software packages and systems that also support SSL/TLS security.