zenon

zenon plays a crucial role in enhancing industrial cybersecurity, providing an additional layer of protection for production environments. As companies increasingly adopt smart production environments, the benefits of cross-site networking become evident, such as improved data comparability, better outage predictability, and enhanced production efficiency. However, this connectivity also introduces new cybersecurity risks.

Traditionally, cybersecurity was a concern primarily for IT, but with the integration of operational technology (OT) in networked environments, it has become an interdisciplinary task. OT, which includes controllers, HMIs, sensors, and related software, was once isolated but is now vulnerable to cyberattacks. The smart factory, while offering numerous advantages, is susceptible to threats like espionage, intellectual property theft, data loss, and sabotage.

In brownfield applications, where older machines coexist with newer systems, cybersecurity challenges are pronounced. Older equipment, designed for closed systems, may have vulnerabilities that need addressing. Regular updates are essential to close known security gaps and protect against cyber threats.

Raising cybersecurity awareness across all employees is vital. Training staff to recognize phishing attempts and create secure passwords is crucial for comprehensive security. Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue but a company-wide responsibility.

zenon is developed in compliance with the IEC 62443-4-1 standard, which outlines security requirements for industrial environments. This certification ensures robust security measures are in place, covering the software development cycle, risk analysis, and team training. COPA-DATA collaborates with universities and research institutes to continuously improve zenon.

The NIS 2 Directive, expanding on the original NIS Directive, aims to enhance cybersecurity and resilience across the EU. Compliance with IEC 62443-4-1 supports the implementation of this directive, broadening its scope within EU member states from October 2024.