August 25, 2009 - Semaphore introduced significant cyber security enhancements for its T-BOX line of SCADA system RTU products. HTTPS and IEEE 802.1X are now available with a T-BOX MS Modular System, when equipped with a 32-bit CPU. HTTPS, or "HTTP Secure," is the hypertext transfer protocol with encryption using the SSL or TLS protocol. It is now available as an add-on which allows access to the T-BOX MS integral web server using HTTPS.
Simple menu interactions allow the user to configure the TCP ports for HTTP and HTTPS, whether HTTP is blocked, and to specify a certificate file name. Since T-BOX RTU products allow users to exploit the power of the Internet, HTTPS Secure is an important new SCADA security feature. IEEE 802.1X addresses a key security risk that many operators have uncovered in vulnerability assessments.
IEEE 802.1X provides authentication for devices wishing to access a local area network (LAN). Also available as an add-on, it prevents rogue devices from attaching to the LAN or RTU port. That, in turn, prevents unauthorized access to proprietary information and the ability to download configuration or operation parameters. T-BOX is the first IP-based telemetry solution that enables the complete integration of SCADA control and communications functionality in one rugged package.
It leverages easy-to-use Web technologies and inexpensive public networks for decentralized monitoring and control systems. T-BOX products offer up to 50% less total installed cost per point versus traditional SCADA/PLC systems and permit greater organizational access to data through automated reporting and browser software. Semaphore's T-BOX RTU products are ideal for a broad range of monitoring and control applications in the broadcast, infrastructure management, oil & gas, power, transportation and water treatment and distribution industries.