Loading
myRockwellAutomation
Careers
Investors
PartnerNetwork Portal
Contact Us
Popular Resources
Compatibility & Downloads (PCDC) Knowledgebase Literature Library Lifecycle Status Learning+ Training Portal
 
Product Management
Asset Management (RAAMP) Installed Base Evaluation (IBE) My Equipment Self-Service Product Registration Repairs Service Contracts & Tickets Software Activation Software Subscriptions Sustainability Dashboard
 
Product Configuration and Selection
Advisor Bill of Materials CrossWorks Integrated Architecture Builder Product Catalog ProposalWorks Proposal Builder ProposalWorks Standards Builder Safety Automation Builder
 

 

View All Tools →

InformationInformation
This content is not available in your selected language.
Rockwell Automation logo
Products
Hardware
What's New in Hardware
Circuit & Load Protection Condition Monitoring Connection Devices Distributed Control Systems Drives Energy Monitoring Human Machine Interface (HMI) Independent Cart Technology Industrial Computers & Monitors Industrial Control Products Input/Output Modules Lighting Control
Motion Control Motor Control Network Security & Infrastructure Packaged Solutions Power Supplies Programmable Controllers Push Buttons & Signaling Devices Relays & Timers Safety Instrumented Systems Safety Products Sensors & Switches Signal Interface
Software
What's New in Software
Cloud Software
 
Design
Studio 5000 FactoryTalk Logix Echo Emulate3D Digital Twin Arena Simulation FactoryTalk Design Studio FactoryTalk Twin Studio FactoryTalk Vault
 
Analytics & Data
FactoryTalk Historian FactoryTalk Analytics FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI FactoryTalk DataMosaix FactoryTalk Energy Manager Thingworx IIoT FactoryTalk Transaction Manager FactoryTalk Edge Manager Model Predictive Control
HMI
FactoryTalk View FactoryTalk Optix
 
MES
Plex MES FactoryTalk ProductionCentre FactoryTalk PharmaSuite Plex MES for Food & Beverage FactoryTalk CPGSuite Plex Quality Management System Plex Enterprise Resource Planning Plex Asset Performance Management Plex Production Monitoring Finite Scheduler FactoryTalk EIHub
 
Performance Monitoring
FactoryTalk Metrics OEE
 
Thin Client Management
ThinManager
Maintenance
Fiix CMMS FactoryTalk Analytics GuardianAI FactoryTalk AssetCentre FactoryTalk Remote Access FactoryTalk Network Manager Emonitor
 
Process
PlantPAx FactoryTalk Batch
 
Industrial Communications
FactoryTalk Linx
 
XR/Augmented Reality
Vuforia
Product Directory Allen‑Bradley FactoryTalk
Services
Asset Optimization & Workforce Services
Asset Optimization Services Overview Equipment Repair Equipment Remanufacturing Repair and Inventory Agreements Integrated Service Agreements Remote Support & Monitoring Onsite & Field Services Safety Services Training Services
Cybersecurity & Network Infrastructure
Cybersecurity Industrial Network Infrastructure Pre-Engineered Network Solutions
Digital Thread
Overview
Production Automation
Overview Coordinated Drive System Solutions
LifecycleIQ Services
LifecycleIQ Services
LifecycleIQ Services
Lifecycle Services help your manufacturing facility work faster, smarter and with greater agility at every lifecycle stage.
Get Started
LifecycleIQ Services
Solutions & Industries
Solutions
Advanced Motion & Robotics Asset Management Cybersecurity Data Operations & Analytics Digital Thread Digital Transformation Industrial Automation Control Industrial Components Networks & Infrastructure On-Machine Solutions
Packaged Solutions Process Solutions Production Automation Production Operations Management Safety Solutions  Scalable Control & Visualization Smart Manufacturing Sustainable Solutions Workforce Enablement
 
Solutions for
OEMs
Industries
Automotive & Tire Cement Chemical Entertainment Fiber & Textiles Food & Beverage Household & Personal Care Hydrogen Infrastructure Life Sciences
Marine Metals Mining Oil & Gas Power Generation Print & Publishing Pulp & Paper Semiconductor Warehouse & Fulfillment Water Wastewater
Hawaiian Host Group Overcomes Multiple Packaging Challenges
Hawaiian Host Group Overcomes Multiple Packaging Challenges
Case Study
Case Study
Hawaiian Host Group Overcomes Multiple Packaging Challenges
Automation solution helps Cama Group machine carefully and precisely package delicate confectionary at scale and at speed – no matter the packaging format.
Read Now
View Case Studies
Support
Documentation
Technical Documentation Center Product Drawings & Wiring Diagrams Product Certifications Release Notes Technical Specifications
Product Support
Downloads Selection & Configuration Management
Training
Webinars Workforce Development Training Instructor-led Courses Certificate Programs Job Aids Training Workstations Learning+ Training Subscriptions
Contact Us
TechConnect Support Customer Care Software Portal Help General Inquiries
TechConnect Support
TechConnect Support

Get the knowledge and assistance for solving your technical challenges.

Learn More about TechConnect
Compatibility and Downloads (PCDC) Knowledgebase Literature Library Engage Online Community
Sales & Partners
Find a Partner
Go to the Partner Finder
 
Our PartnerNetwork
PartnerNetwork Program Digital Partners Distributor Partners Licensed Developers
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Partners Strategic Alliance Partners System Integrator Partners Technology Partners
Order Online
Software Subscriptions E-learning Training Instructor-led Training Learning+ Training Subscriptions
What is the PartnerNetwork™?
What is the PartnerNetwork™?

Our Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™ program gives our customers access to the best people, products, services and solutions to meet manufacturing goals and bring The Connected Enterprise to life.

Explore Now
myRockwellAutomation
Careers
Investors
PartnerNetwork Portal
Contact Us
Resources
Popular Resources
Compatibility & Downloads (PCDC) Knowledgebase Literature Library Lifecycle Status Learning+ Training Portal
 
Product Management
Asset Management (RAAMP) Installed Base Evaluation (IBE) My Equipment Self-Service Product Registration Repairs Service Contracts & Tickets Software Activation Software Subscriptions Sustainability Dashboard
 
Product Configuration and Selection
Advisor Bill of Materials CrossWorks Integrated Architecture Builder Product Catalog ProposalWorks Proposal Builder ProposalWorks Standards Builder Safety Automation Builder
 

 

View All Tools →

Select country or region
  • Australia
  • Argentina
  • Belgique | Belgium
  • Brasil
  • Canada
  • Colombia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Deutschland
  • España
  • Finland
  • France
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italia
  • México
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Schweiz | Suisse
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Sweden
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Österreich
  • 中国
  • 台灣, 中國
  • 日本
  • 한국
Select language
  • English
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Português
  • 日本語
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • 한국어
Sign In Create an Account
Why Create an Account?
Create bills of materials, submit repair quotes, register products and more!

Manage your e-communication subscription preferences.

Manage your user profile.
Welcome, {0}
Residing Location
My Account Sign Out
Your recent searches
  • HistoryHistory
    CloseClose
  • HistoryHistory
    CloseClose
  • HistoryHistory
    CloseClose
  • HistoryHistory
    CloseClose
  • HistoryHistory
    CloseClose
  • HistoryHistory
    CloseClose
All
Products
Documents
Downloads
Suggested search terms
  • SearchSearch
  • SearchSearch
  • SearchSearch
  • SearchSearch
  • SearchSearch
  • SearchSearch
Results for "{0}"
View all results
Product results for "{0}"
Product Image
Product Image
Product Image
View all product results
Document results for "{0}"
Portable Document Format.pdf file type
Publication Type: Published Date: Language:
Portable Document Format.pdf file type
Publication Type: Published Date: Language:
Portable Document Format.pdf file type
Publication Type: Published Date: Language:
View all document results
Download results for "{0}"
DownloadDownload
Catalog Numbers:
DownloadDownload
Catalog Numbers:
DownloadDownload
Catalog Numbers:
View all download results
Magazine
Recent ActivityRecent Activity
3 minute read

Safety Should be Part of Cybersecurity

To better protect physical assets, workers and compliance, it’s vital to understand the link between safety and security risks and how to mitigate them.

Share This:

LinkedInLinkedIn
XX
FacebookFacebook
PrintPrint
EmailEmail
Safety Should be Part of Cybersecurity hero image

By Steve Ludwig, commercial programs manager, Safety, Rockwell Automation

The dangers that cyber threats pose to intellectual property, customer records and productivity are well known, but safety implications of these threats are discussed less often. A cyberattack on your industrial control system (ICS) can damage physical assets, alter recipes, injure workers or cause severe environmental damage.

If you’re on a digital transformation journey — whether it’s a managed process or slow evolution — managing the inherent safety and security risks should be an integral part of the process.

A properly designed security approach will improve information collection, analysis and delivery. It also will minimize security-related interruptions and frustrations. And it will help protect your enterprise.

Know Your Risks

Both security and safety standards already recognize the link between safety and security risks.

Cybersecurity standard ISA/IEC 62443-1-1

mentions that security breaches can have consequences beyond compromised information. The standard states: “The potential loss of life or production, environmental damage, regulatory violation and compromise to operational safety are far more serious consequences. These may have ramifications beyond the targeted organization; they may grievously damage the infrastructure of the host region or nation.”

Functional safety standard IEC 61508-1

specifies that hazards associated with equipment and control systems must be determined under all reasonably foreseeable circumstances. The standard says: “This shall include all relevant human factor issues and shall give particular attention to abnormal or infrequent modes of operation of the EUC [end user computing]. If the hazard analysis identifies that malevolent or unauthorized action, constituting a security threat, as being reasonably foreseeable, then a security threats analysis should be carried out.”

Security, like safety, approaches issues based on managing risk, leveraging continuous assessment and baselining to ensure you are managing to a risk threshold. Your level of acceptable risk will vary by industry and potential outcomes.

Considering that most cybersecurity attacks are based on the attacker simply finding a vulnerable target — rather than being specifically targeted due to industry or prominence — a cybersecurity attack is a foreseeable circumstance in every industry.

2020 Networks and Security eBook
Main Image
eBook
2020 Networks and Security eBook

Get tips on how to get started with industrial analytics that help drive better performance; learn the basics of digital twins; and learn how to use edge computing and how it compares to the cloud.

Download Now

Assessing your cybersecurity risks, determining your level of acceptable risk and mitigating identified risks to an acceptable level are now the basic “reasonable” steps to help protect people from foreseeable misuse and malevolent or unauthorized actions.

As with safety, ignoring cybersecurity and associated risks is the mistaken belief that “if I don’t know about the risk, I can’t be held accountable.” That’s not an acceptable posture, ethically or for compliance purposes, especially when lives are on the line.

Address Risks Together

Some have used the risks that connected technologies can introduce as an argument against modernization. However, it’s important to recognize that doing nothing is not a solution. Maintaining legacy systems too long not only deprives you of valuable insights and other Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) benefits, but these systems also often lack the security measures of contemporary systems making them more vulnerable rather than less.

The ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance

Rockwell Automation is a founding member of the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance and has received multiple ISA/IEC 62443 certifications. The standards define requirements and procedures for implementing electronically secure automation and industrial control systems and security practices and assessing electronic security performance. Learn more about industrial security efforts from Rockwell Automation.

The better approach is to make the most of digital transformation, while helping protect safety and security as part of the process. As you do this, keep some key things in mind.

For example, many security practices have long been used in the IT world, but they’re new to the operations technology (OT) world. And, while many of the mitigation steps are similar in comparison, they’re applied very differently in the front office than on the plant floor.

In a manufacturing environment, cybersecurity and safety risks should both be part of risk management and part of the management of change (MOC) process. And EHS professionals should be involved in managing processes and compliance with standards and laws.

Expand What’s Possible

It’s a new age in industry. The advantages of Industry 4.0 certainly outweigh the increased risks. And by understanding the risks and mitigating them as part of your digital initiatives, you can expand what’s possible in your operations while helping protect what matters most to you.

 

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork™ is published by Putman Media, Inc.

Subscribe

Subscribe to Rockwell Automation and receive the latest news, thought leadership and information directly to your inbox.

Subscribe
  1. Chevron LeftChevron Left Rockwell Automation Home Chevron RightChevron Right
  2. Chevron LeftChevron Left Company Chevron RightChevron Right
  3. Chevron LeftChevron Left News Chevron RightChevron Right
Company
About Us Accessibility Careers Diversity, Ethics and Integrity Engage Online Community Investor Relations Modern Slavery Statement Sustainability Trust Center
 
News & Events
Newsroom Press Releases Automation Fair Upcoming Events
 
Trending Topics
Cybersecurity Digital Transformation Smart Manufacturing The Connected Enterprise®
 
Training
Webinars Workforce Development Training
 
PartnerNetwork
Find a Partner What is the PartnerNetwork?
 
Our Brands
Allen‑Bradley FactoryTalk LifecycleIQ Services
Contact Us
TechConnect Support Customer Care General Inquiries How to Buy Report Ethical Concerns
Insights
Results Achieved Case Studies Blogs Automation Today Podcasts
BlogRockwell Automation's Blog
AU | EN
Legal Notices
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Email Preferences
Cookie Settings
Accessibility Settings
© 2025 Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Home
Please update your cookie preferences to continue.
This feature requires cookies to enhance your experience. Please update your preferences to allow for these cookies:
  • Social Media Cookies
  • Functional Cookies
  • Performance Cookies
  • Marketing Cookies
  • All Cookies
You can update your preferences at any time. For more information please see our Privacy Policy
CloseClose