Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have come a long way since first being introduced in the automotive industry in the 1960s.
PLCs are small, solid-state computers that are typically used to control and monitor industrial equipment. They help transfer information from manufacturing equipment directly to centralized applications and systems, which operators then use to manage access controls.
The rise of Industry 4.0 — driven by cloud computing, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics — has changed the way PLCs operate. To maintain an interconnected plant floor, PLCs needed to be connected with the Internet of Things (IoT), the cloud, HMIs, SCADA networks and more.
However, many PLCs weren’t initially built with this kind of interconnectivity in mind. As a result, PLCs have become an attractive target for bad actors looking to create chaos or secure large ransom payments. This means that your organization’s approach to PLC cybersecurity is more important than ever.
The right approach to logical access control can streamline user authentication, which in turn helps to close PLC cybersecurity gaps while keeping production running efficiently.
Why PLCs are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks
PLCs come in different shapes and sizes, from fixed PLCs with pre-built inputs and outputs to modular PLCs that are more customizable. They play a critical role on the plant floor, controlling conveyors, robot arms, robot cells and other complex industrial equipment.
As a result, if the wrong person gains access to a PLC, they can shut down the entire production line. That can have catastrophic consequences for your businesses, leading to millions of dollars in remediation costs and lost production. Shared workstations, single-layer password protection and inconsistent role-based access control can all increase the likelihood of a bad actor infiltrating a PLC.
Once a PLC breach is underway, the process of rooting out the malware or bad actor can seem nearly impossible. As a result, prevention methods like strong user authentication protocols should be the focus for manufacturing leaders looking to maintain robust plant security.
Streamlined user authentication boosts PLC security
When it comes to securing PLC systems, a robust logical access control setup is your best defense. Logical access control solutions allow authorized users to initiate actions and processes through a PLC when they authenticate their identity.
Instead of using unsecured pushbuttons or keys to control various processes on the shop floor, employees can initiate actions through a PLC with a quick tap of a badge on a secure reader. The reader reads data stored on the employee’s credential and cross-references it against the PLC database to verify the employee’s access permissions. This capability helps employees quickly initiate authenticated processes to keep workflows moving while also giving administrators greater control over user access, which mitigates security gaps.
Let’s take a closer look at how RFID credential readers can enhance logical access control for PLCs — and your entire manufacturing plant.
- Security: Secure credential readers sidestep the clunkiness of passwords, which are relatively easy for bad actors to obtain — and time-consuming for employees to input and reset.
- Interoperability: PLCs don’t exist in isolation on the plant floor. Flexible credential readers can also be used to streamline employee authentication across HMIs, SCADA systems and other touchpoints.
- Accountability: A logical access solution that uses secure credential readers creates an audit trail that helps support OSHA compliance while giving you visibility into every action taken on a PLC.
rf IDEAS’ extensive selection of WAVE ID readers are ready to integrate with a wide range of manufacturing use cases, including PLCs. Plus, our interoperable readers are credential-agnostic, so you can use them with your preferred smart cards, proximity cards, BLE mobile credentials and NFC digital wallets.
WAVE ID readers are the key to modern plant floor security
As an essential component of plant infrastructure, PLCs will always be an attractive target for hackers and other malicious actors.
Maintaining proper access control interconnectivity between PLCs and other manufacturing equipment is critical for enhancing security across your facilities.
WAVE ID readers provide a streamlined solution that gives you the data needed to keep essential manufacturing systems running seamlessly.
Reach out to rf IDEAS today to learn more about our secure WAVE ID solutions for manufacturing!
