Wibu-Systems Introduces the OPC UA Security Extension
Wibu-Systems Introduces the OPC UA Security Extension
Wibu-Systems has announced the introduction of a security extension for Unified Automation’s OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) that provides higher security and versatile licensing mechanisms for developers using the OPC UA platform. As a result of the collaboration between the two companies, developers have access to Unified Automation’s ANSI C-based OPC UA Software Development Kit (SDK), a ready-to-use set of tools that enables the integration of the secure licensing features of Wibu-Systems’ CodeMeter security platform into any OPC UA project. The OPC UA SDK will be introduced at the SPS IPC Drives 2016 trade show, November 22-24, 2016, in Nuremberg, Germany.
OPC is the interoperability standard for the secure and reliable exchange of data in the Industrie 4.0 industrial automation space. It is platform independent and ensures the seamless flow of information among devices from multiple vendors. The secure and reliable sharing of data in Industrie 4.0 can only be accomplished if every individual actor, from machines to the smallest sensor, is unequivocally identified and communication is not manipulated, in which case each networked device knows with whom it is allowed to share untampered data.
Wibu-Systems’ CodeMeter provides secure key storage for the private keys of OPC UA certificates and licensing information of machine configurations that cannot be modified by unauthorized personnel. As a hardware safeguard, CodeMeter CmDongles are available with USB interfaces or as memory cards (SD, microSD, CF or CFast) or ASICs in a Very Thin Quad Flat Non-Leaded (VQFN) package. The securely stored keys are used for symmetric and asymmetric encryption, ensuring the identity of the devices and the confidentiality and integrity of data.
Developers who want to upgrade their projects with the OPC UA SDK can choose between a purely software-based solution with OpenSSL, or a hardware-based variant and work with a special library of CodeMeter Embedded.
Oliver Winzenried, CEO and founder of Wibu-Systems, explained: "Security is crucial for networked production operations. The OPC UA standard offers many functions that can facilitate the rise of smart factories. The new OPC UA security extension powered by CodeMeter makes it easy for device manufacturers to integrate secure licensing capabilities that boost OPC UA’s native features and open new monetization opportunities."