Cloud Gateway Transparency Module for IIoT Data Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud gateway devices in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems lack transparency, making it difficult for users to monitor and control data transmission and operations, which is essential for compliance with IT and data handling policies.
Innovation Solution
A cloud gateway device with a transparency module implemented in software, stored in its internal memory and executed by processing means, computes and displays transparency information about industrial data, including inbound and outbound traffic, configuration data, and anonymization status, allowing users to scrutinize and manage data transmission effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cloud gateway device operates as a black box for data collection and transmission, then data processing functionality is simplified, but user transparency and control over data transmission is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The transparency module is nested within the cloud gateway device, allowing the gateway to contain a complete transparency subsystem that computes and provides transparency information about its own operations without requiring external transparency infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The transparency module acts as an intermediary component within the gateway device that mediates between the data processing functions and the user, providing transparency information that enables user oversight while maintaining the gateway's operational independence
2Ease of operation
If users implement external transparency solutions, then transparency capabilities can be added, but reliance on third-party apps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud gateway device provides self-service transparency by computing and providing transparency information about its own data collection and transmission operations, eliminating the need for users to rely on external third-party applications for monitoring gateway activities
3Reliability
If complete data monitoring is implemented, then user visibility and control is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparency module implements partial monitoring by selectively tracking specific data transmission events and operations that are most relevant to user policy compliance, rather than monitoring all possible gateway activities, thus balancing transparency with resource efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A cloud gateway device and a method for operating the cloud gateway device is provided. The cloud gateway device is communicatively connected to one or more IIoT devices to at least collect data therefrom, and to the cloud to send collected data into the cloud. The cloud gateway device includes a transparency module provided for implementing transparency features into the cloud gateway device. Operating the cloud gateway device includes acquiring industrial data from the IIoT devices and/or the cloud gateway device, and computing information pertaining to the industrial data.