Transient Control Applications for Industrial Automation Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face security risks due to control applications requiring extensive security authorizations that remain installed and potentially vulnerable, leading to increased security vulnerabilities over time.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method where control applications are provided using sequential control components, isolated in a flow control environment, with defined execution conditions and security policies to terminate their execution when conditions are met, such as maximum duration or other specified criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control applications requiring extensive security authorizations remain installed on automation devices, then they can be activated when needed, but security vulnerabilities increase over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control application execution where applications are loaded into memory and executed temporarily rather than remaining permanently installed. The system dynamically loads control applications from storage into memory, executes them for their specific task, then terminates and removes them from memory, creating a transient presence that reduces security exposure while maintaining functional availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats control applications as temporary, disposable entities in memory rather than permanent installations. Each application is loaded, executed for its specific purpose, and then discarded from memory. This approach uses the principle of short-living objects where the application exists only for the duration needed to perform its function, after which it is completely removed, eliminating the security risk of long-term installation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If control applications are executed in a flow control environment, then system security is enhanced, but execution time is limited by defined conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by defining execution conditions and termination criteria before the control application begins execution. The system pre-configures maximum execution times, resource usage limits, and other constraints that will automatically terminate the application if exceeded. This preliminary setup ensures security without requiring post-execution monitoring or intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the flow control environment continuously monitors execution conditions during application runtime. The system tracks execution duration, resource consumption, and other parameters, providing feedback that triggers automatic termination when predefined thresholds are reached. This closed-loop control ensures applications cannot run indefinitely or exceed safe operational limits.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for providing control applications. Each of the control applications (201-204) is provided by a flow control component (131-133), which can be loaded onto a flow control environment (112) formed by means of a server device (100) and can be executed on same. Control applications (201-203) which require selected security authorizations are assigned a respective label (210) as security-critical control applications. For the control applications (201-203) which are assigned a label (210) as a security-critical application, at least one respective flow condition is ascertained for the selected security authorizations. The flow control environment (112) checks for the occurrence of the respective flow condition while the flow control components (131-133) for the control applications are being executed. The execution of each of the flow control components is terminated when the respective flow condition occurs.