The convergence of IT and industrial automation networks has created great opportunities, but with this comes increased security threats from hackers, worms, and viruses. Clearly, remote utility network administrators must rethink their approach to network security. Ethernet networks have proliferated across many of our workplaces today; that includes utilities such as pumping stations, electrical substations, and oil pumping wells. Initial implementation of Ethernet networks at pumping stations disregarded security measures since most of these networks did not have external network access (i.e. connection to the public internet). However, this safety is in fact illusory. However safe that it may seem, it turns out to be just the opposite. Studies have now shown that most attacks (83%*) occur from within the intranet, and not from external internet connections. Further, PLCs and RTUs distributed within the network are not designed to support traditional firewall and anti-virus software protection such as would be used in an IT network.

Please click White paper by Amplicon to read in detail.

FOUNDATION fieldbus technology enables all-digital, two-way communications between field devices and control systems. While the advantages of using digital communications for sharing maintenance-related device information with an asset management system are well known, there are other benefits from using the FOUNDATION fieldbus technology. This paper introduces an application that relies on the two-way communications capability of FOUNDATION fieldbus.

An interesting Application Note by Yokogawa. Please click 'Two-way communication feature of FOUNDATION fieldbus reduces total cost of ownership' to download

Network security for switches and network infrastructure is gaining more attention than it once did as more people and businesses rely on their networks as a normal course of their daily lives and businesses. Most people who have direct oversight of their network security are concerned about the safety and security of their network, especially as it relates to data exchanges between offices, cites, states and countries. With the critical nature of networks to keep businesses moving forward and the amount of mission critical data that is pushed and pulled across these networks, the more vulnerable these systems appear to be. The looming doom of a security threat or infrastructure failure can have cascading affects on any business that relies heavily on their network to conduct their daily operations.

Please click 'Network Security' to download White Paper by Lantech communication to read in detail.

FF-844 is the new Fieldbus Foundation cable compliance specification. FF-844 includes the electrical requirements of ISA 50.02 and IEC 61158, but it also contains some additional requirements which help you know your cable is the right cable for use in FOUNDATION fieldbus control networks.

Cable certified by the Foundation must be UL ITC and PLTC listed. What does that mean? At a minimum, it means these cables meet important mechanical strength requirements and are UL listed to comply with the National Electric Code.

Please click 'FOUNDATION Fieldbus Cables Explained' to donwload the paper by Northwire