On the one hand, the remote maintenance of process plants via public networks in an industrial environment enables considerable cost advantages. On the other hand, significant security risks can be expected by accessing control system networks remotely.

If your process network does not have an effective protective shield, a single security gap can make your production processes vulnerable to attacks – with potentially catastrophic consequences. It is necessary to reduce this vulnerability to a minimum and it requires considerable know-how to manage this problem efficiently. Ideally, this know-how is available in your own company or should be acquired through cooperation with a trustworthy partner. Doing nothing could be a serious mistake.

Dr. Alexander Horch

Dr. Alexander Horch is Vice President R&D and Product Management at HIMA Group. He joined HIMA in April 2016 having previously worked as Principal Scientist at ABB Corporate Research in Germany with a focus on process plant optimisation and plant asset management. Between 2007 and 2016, he held different management roles for ABB Germany and ABB Switzerland. Dr. Horch is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Automation Professional (CAP) of the ISA.

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