Distributed Ledger Records for Secure Process Control Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Process control systems in industrial plants face challenges in securing communications and maintaining data integrity due to the risk of cyber intrusions, which can lead to equipment damage, product loss, and even human safety issues, especially when interconnected with external networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a distributed ledger system, such as a blockchain, within process control systems to record and verify transactions, including process parameter values and product parameters, and execute smart contracts, providing a secure, immutable, and trustless record of events and data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If process control systems are interconnected with external networks to enable data exchange and automated processes, then productivity and adaptability are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to cyber intrusions and data integrity risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distributed ledger system as an intermediary layer between process control systems and external networks. This mediator validates and secures data transactions without preventing connectivity, allowing automated processes to continue while protecting against cyber intrusions through decentralized verification mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments data storage and validation functions across multiple distributed nodes rather than relying on a centralized system. This segmentation ensures that a breach at one node does not compromise the entire system, maintaining data integrity while enabling continued operation and productivity
2Ease of operation
If centralized databases and communication systems are used in process control, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the system becomes a single point of failure vulnerable to cyber attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized database functionality into multiple distributed ledger nodes that collectively provide the same data storage and retrieval services. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure while maintaining ease of operation through unified access interfaces that abstract the underlying distributed architecture
3Reliability
If distributed ledger systems are implemented to enhance security and data integrity, then reliability is improved and cyber attack resistance is enhanced, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements distributed ledger nodes that maintain copies of the same data across multiple locations. This copying mechanism provides redundancy and security without requiring complex custom architectures, as each node is a replicated instance that can independently validate transactions, thereby enhancing reliability while managing complexity through standardization
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a trusted, secure, and immutable record of transactions within a process plant, techniques are described for utilizing a distributed ledger in process control systems. The distributed ledger may be maintained by nodes which receive transactions broadcasted from field devices, controllers, operator workstations, or other devices operating within the process plant. The transactions may include process plant data, such as process parameter data, product parameter data, configuration data, user interaction data, maintenance data, commissioning data, plant network data, and product tracking data. The distributed ledgers may also be utilized to execute smart contracts to allow machines such as field devices to transact by themselves without human intervention. In this manner, recorded process parameter values and product parameter values may be retrieved to verify the quality of products. Moreover, regulatory data may be recorded in response to triggering events so that regulatory agencies can review the data.