2010 Eddy Currents
Malware Found That Attacks Industrial Control Systems
For the first time since we’ve started following control system attacks, this is the first substantiated news we’ve found. It seems that this attack is carried out using a Trojan-Horse “back door” program that checks for an installation of WinCC, an HMI software product sold by Siemens. It is known to spread via USB devices, namely those little memory stick flash drive that we all seem to collect and use.
Microsoft said it suspects that Stuxnet, the name of this malware, has been active at least since June 1, 2010. An antivirus vendor in Belarus called Virus BlokAda said it discovered the malware in June.
Gazing into Automation's Crystal Ball
Reprinted with permission from Food Engineering
www.foodengineeringmag.com
A number of professionals involved in food and beverage automation were asked to channel their inner Alvin Toffler to predict technology’s impact on the food plant of tomorrow. Some of their thoughts:
Today’s consumer electronics is a harbinger of what we’ll see in manufacturing in seven years. Instead of technical training, operators and maintenance will access apps to walk them through machine procedures.
—John Kowal, market development manager, B&R Automation
The State of Industrial Wireless 2010 - a Snapshot to the Future
While looking into the future of automation, there is a growing discussion regarding industrial wireless adoption and it’s benefit to implement.
In April 2009, Apprion and Control Magazine began a series of surveys designed to gain insight into the state of wireless application adoption within the process manufacturing industries. Included are the results based off 1200 industry professionals.
Technical Q&A
Q: I’m having a problem with converting an RSLogix5000 project from version 15.2 to 16.1. During the conversion two errors are reported:
Error: G232_04_TCR Feature not available.
Error: Line 839: Feature not available.
The offending line in the L5K file defines a module for a “1734-232AsC/C”.” The Rockwell knowledgebase has an article “38272 -1734- 232ASC: Failed to instantiate Module Profile. InitExisting Failed. Feature not available.” But I cannot view it as a I do not have a tech connect contract.
A: The 134-232ASC/C module is causing the error. Remove it, do the conversion, and add it back on.
Visit www.controlsoverload.com to view more questions and answers or ask one of your own.
MartinCSI Renews CSIA Certification
MartinCSI is pleased to announce we have successfully renewed our CSIA “Certified Member” status for our third consecutive three year period. By passing an extensive audit, we have confirmed we have the necessary business practices and benchmarks in place to perform and complete the best job for our customers.
As a certified member, MartinCSI has proven performance against CSIA benchmarks in the following areas; General Management, Human Resources, Marketing and Sales Management, Financial Management, Project Management, System Development Lifecycle, Supporting Activities, and Quality Assurance Management.
A Key Ingredient for a Sustainable Plant
By Robert Lowe, CSIA Executive Director
http://www.controlsys.org
Control System Integrators (CSI) provide many of the technology solutions for automation that make a plant sustainable. The solutions range from realizing cost savings and getting the most production from operating assets, to extending the life of those assets. End users and owners understand the requirements of production and plant operations, but may not know the most efficient way to make it happen.CSIs do, and therefore are a key ingredient to a sustainable plant.
The Importance of Risk Assessments
Many times companies over-look the importance of performing risk assessment in the workplace. And more often than not, safety precautions don’t occur until something has gone wrong and it’s too late. Therefore, it is essential companies understand the importance of performing a risk assessment, a procedure that will protect your workers and business, and most importantly comply with the law.
Implementing OEE Data Collection in Your Production Facility
Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) provides a single metric that measures the effectiveness of your company’s equipment. Without focusing on the reliability and performance, or rather utilizing your equipments OEE metric, the consequences can ranges from production losses to safety and environmental hazards.
To begin, OEE is defined as the product of three percentages, availability, performance, and quality. While exploiting a consistent OEE approach, the defined parameter can indentify downtime, setup, breakdown, quality and other indicators of poor performance, directing the attention of managers towards greater opportunities for improvement.
Safety Corner
Joe Martin presented at the McNaughton McKay Safety Symposium on March 3rd in Columbus. Here are the highlights of his presentation:
Why use a control system integrator for safety?:
- Not part of an internal political hierarchy
- Adds credibility to hazard and risk identification
- Not impeded by other business responsibilities
- Experienced in reducing risks to a tolerable level
- Provides documentation of effort
