Industrial Security - Functional Safety

Safety control systems in machinery can be the target of a cyber attack that can lead to a safety-critical malfunction.
Source: DGUV

The Industrial Security - Functional Safety unit of the Accident Prevention: Digitalisation - Technologies department addresses control systems in machinery and plants and evaluates aspects of both functional safety and IT security.

Industrial Security

The main areas of activity in the Industrial Security field are:

Development of test principles and the testing and certification of products in the field of industrial security.
Active participation on standards committees for the shaping of safety standards.
Conducting of accident investigations and preparation of expert reports on behalf of the German Social Accident Insurance institutions for the clarification of incidents.
Committee work and development of practical guidance documents for implementation and interpretation of statutory requirements of the European and national legislation.
Research into and development of innovative concepts, methods and tools for improving occupational safety and health in networked production environments.

Legal principles, background information and practical recommendations for vulnerability management can be found in the IFA Technical information on industrial security.

The principal areas of activity in the Functional Safety field are:

Testing, certification and consulting on fire extinguishing control systems with integrated safety functions, door controls and electronic safety components such as speed monitoring systems, position sensors and load torque limiters
Foreseeable misuse with regard to the defeating of safeguards, see also: IFA - Practical solutions: Prevent the defeating of safeguards
Development of test specifications and participation on the relevant standards committees