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A study by Palo Alto Networks shows that as much as 98% of IIoT traffic is not encrypted and nearly 60% of devices are susceptible to cyber attacks. So protection is more important than ever. With the Ewon Cosy+ from HMS Networks, Bintz Technics offers a new generation of industrial VPN routers that take IIoT cybersecurity to the next level. State-of-the-art hardware security allows users to remotely commission and programme industrial plants, or even troubleshoot problems.
It is impossible to imagine our society without connected devices. When you see how many computers and IoT devices (such as smartphones, smartwatches, cameras, speakers, home automation systems...) we use today compared to, say, three years ago, you notice it immediately. This implies that the importance of security has also increased significantly.
“While traditional IT has surely reached a certain level of maturity, it appears that, due to the rapid growth of IoT, the number of cases of security misdeployments is increasing. With IoT devices, security should start the moment they are switched on,” states sales engineer Bram Baetens of Bintz Technics. “Running a trusted and authentic code starts with the secure boot of the device. ‘Secure Boot’ ensures that only software validated by the manufacturer can be run. Without that process, one could, for example, load a customised operating system or manipulated software if one can interfere between the different boot phases. The new Ewon Cosy+ industrial VPN router from HMS Networks provides a fully secure boot sequence, executing only programme code approved by Ewon. The authentication chain consists of public and private keys, combined with a digital signature. Only when these elements match, the bootloader is loaded. If this verification chain is interrupted for one reason or another, the device does not boot.”
HMS Network is a market leader in providing industrial information and communication technology (Industrial ICT) solutions, including developing products under the Ewon® name, which has been the first choice for industrial remote access solutions for 20 years. More than 400,000 devices worldwide are connected via the Talk2M cloud platform, making Ewon the number one choice in industrial remote access connectivity by a wide margin. Bintz Technics is responsible for product distribution in Belgium and Luxembourg.
“With the Ewon Cosy+, the successor to the successful Ewon Cosy 131, HMS Networks introduced a new generation of industrial VPN routers that take IIoT cybersecurity to the next level. Apart from its performance and ease of use, this new development particularly excels with state-of-the-art hardware security. This router was designed in accordance with ISO207001 guidelines. Thanks to a partnership with Nviso's cyber security specialists, Ewon can offer a solution that has been tested to the strictest IIoT security standards,” explains Bram Baetens. “The combination of the Talk2M industrial cloud platform with the Cosy+ and the integrated hardware security allows users to remotely commission and programme industrial installations or even perform fault diagnostics in a secure manner. This reduces machine downtime. Time and money are also saved because technicians do not have to make unnecessary trips for interventions. Technician productivity is therefore significantly improved.”
Product safety is close to the hearts of Ewon's specialists. That is why a ‘Secure Element’ has been integrated into this new Cosy+, adding an extra level of security at the hardware level. The so-called ‘Hardware Root of Trust’ is a fundamental component for a secure start-up cycle of the device. In this way, the system is very well armed against cyber attacks.
