Technical Module Certificate Validation for Secure Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 'black box' approach in technical modules for industrial plants makes it difficult for users to verify the identity and originality of installed devices, leading to potential risks of manipulation and unauthorized exchange, especially when certificates expire and require renewal, which is typically managed by the manufacturer and not the user.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for integrating a technical module into a control system that includes a computer-implemented module inventory to identify and verify the authenticity of devices using certificates, allowing the control system to manage certificate validity and revocation, and perform identity checks, ensuring secure operation and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the 'black box' approach is used for technical modules, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the ability to verify device identity and detect manipulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of device identity through certificate validation during module integration or device replacement, before the module operates in the control system. This ensures that only authenticated devices are accepted, preventing manipulation while maintaining the black box operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary certificate validation mechanism between the user and the technical devices. Instead of requiring users to directly verify device authenticity (which would complicate operation), the system uses certificates as an intermediary proof of identity, allowing automatic verification without exposing internal device structures.
2Reliability
If certificates are managed by the manufacturer, then security and reliability are improved, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate due to lack of user autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts certificate management based on the operational context. During initial integration, manufacturer-issued certificates are validated for security. During operation, the system allows flexible device replacement with automated certificate verification, combining manufacturer reliability with user adaptability without requiring manual certificate management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service device replacement with automated certificate validation. When a device is replaced, the new device's certificate is automatically verified by the control system, allowing users to perform maintenance and replacements independently while maintaining security through automated identity verification.
3Reliability
If secure communication with certificates is implemented, then cybersecurity and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts certificate management functionality from individual technical devices and centralizes it in the control system. The devices themselves remain simple black boxes, while the control system handles the complex certificate validation logic, separating security functions from operational functions and reducing device complexity.
4Reliability
If the control system verifies device identity through certificates, then security and reliability are improved, but the time and complexity of device integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Certificate validation is performed as a preliminary automatic step during device integration, before any operational configuration. This ensures that security verification is completed upfront, preventing time-consuming manual verification later and streamlining the overall integration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback on certificate validation results during device integration. If a device's certificate is valid, integration proceeds automatically; if invalid, the system immediately identifies the issue and prevents integration, eliminating time-consuming trial-and-error debugging and providing clear guidance for resolution.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention proposes a method for generating an operation and observation and/or an automation performed by a control system (16) for a technical installation, in particular a manufacturing or process installation, comprising: a) integrating a technical module (1) into the control system (16), wherein the technical module (1) has a plurality of technical devices (2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6), wherein the control system (16), in the course of the integration, retrieves information from a computer-implemented module inventory (9) of the technical module (1) and stores said information in a computer-implemented control system inventory (30) of the control system (16), which information is designed to identify the technical devices (2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6) of the technical module (1), b) generating the operation and observation and/or the automation for the technical installation taking into consideration the information, stored in the computer-implemented control system inventory (30), in relation to the technical module (1).