Security and trust in Industry 4.0: the role of digital identities
Security and trust in Industry 4.0: the role of digital identities
Security and trust in Industry 4.0: the role of digital identities
In order for sensors, controllers and machines to be used in industrial applications, they must first be made available. Typically, this process is carried out by a skilled worker who manually installs and configures an IoT device. This is not only time-consuming and expensive, but also harbors security risks in the form of human error. To date, automation of this process has only been possible to a limited extent. Digital identities along the value chain provide a remedy.
What is a digital identity?
A digital identity is an electronic proof of authenticity that is issued and verified by a public key infrastructure (PKI). Digital identities cryptographically verify the identity information of a device or entity. A digital identity is applied to a device during the production process, establishing the device as a trustworthy communication partner in digital networks.
A digital identity is therefore an electronic representation of identity information that proves the identity of actors and devices. In addition, digital identities enable secure and authenticated interaction between devices, applications and users in various networked environments.
What are the components of a digital identity?
A digital identity consists of several components that together form the basis for a secure and trustworthy digital identity.
Public and private key
A digital certificate contains a public and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt data that can only be decrypted using a private key. The private key, on the other hand, is used to create digital signatures and guarantee the integrity and authenticity of the certificate.
Digital signature
The digital signature is a cryptographic procedure that is created by the certification authority (CA) and added to the certificate. This signature confirms the authenticity of the certificate and enables other parties to check the validity of the certificate by verifying the signature with the CA's public key.
Identity information
In addition to the keys and the signature, the digital certificate also contains identity information. This information may include the name of the owner, the organization, the certification authority, the validity period of the certificate and other relevant data.
Why does Industry 4.0 need digital identities?
Unique identities
Digital identities can be used to uniquely identify entities such as machines and products. Digital identities are therefore crucial to ensure that communication partners are known and trustworthy.
Industry 4.0
"Industry 4.0 refers to the intelligent networking of machines and processes in industry with the help of information and communication technology." -Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (2019)
Secure data exchange in the IIoT
Secure data exchange is essential in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and critical infrastructures. Digital identities serve as the basis for secure data exchange between devices, systems and platforms. These ensure the integrity of the transmitted information.
Trouble-free operation
In a highly networked and automated environment, such as in Industry 4.0, the reliability and authenticity of the actors involved is of crucial importance. Digital identities create an environment in which smooth operation is guaranteed and offer the necessary protection against potential risks.
Trust & efficiency
By using digital identities, companies can increase trust in their automation processes while improving the security and efficiency of their operations. By ensuring that communication between networked devices and systems is secure and trustworthy, digital identities lay the foundation for a successful implementation of Industry 4.0 and enable companies to take full advantage of the benefits of digital transformation.
What challenges arise when integrating digital identities?
The introduction of digital identities in industrial environments faces a variety of challenges, especially in terms of infrastructure, rollout and management.
Infrastructure
The introduction of digital identities in industrial environments faces a variety of challenges, especially in terms of infrastructure. One of the key challenges is to provide a private key infrastructure (PKI) for each device and customize it to the specific requirements of the operation. This requires careful analysis of the existing infrastructure and comprehensive planning and configuration to ensure digital identities can be used securely and effectively.
System integration & rollout
Another key difficulty is that many systems lack the interface to roll out certificates automatically. This leads to a tedious and time-consuming process in which certificates have to be installed manually on each individual device.
PLC systems (programmable logic controllers), which often do not have the necessary interfaces to integrate certificates automatically, face particularly large hurdles. These systems are often not integrated into the Active Directory and are therefore not managed centrally, which further increases the challenges.
In addition, widely differing operating systems are used within industrial environments. The differences range from various Linux distributions to Windows-based variants. This impairs standardization on the one hand and the automation of certificates on the other. The diverse operating system landscape therefore requires customized solutions for each platform. This makes implementation and maintenance even more difficult.
Certificate management
The long-term management of digital identities is also a challenge. Regular updates, monitoring and maintenance of identities is crucial to ensure the security of operational processes and minimize risks. However, without professional OT asset management, companies cannot use and manage digital identities effectively.
How do industrial companies benefit from digital identities?
The integration of digital identities into industrial processes is not only important for secure communication within a system, but also opens up a wide range of opportunities for industrial companies.
Improved competitiveness
By integrating hardware-based security solutions, secure authentication and communication as well as the automation of processes, companies can fully exploit the opportunities of digital transformation and strengthen their competitiveness in an increasingly networked and digitalized world.
Extended value proposition
Manufacturers are currently expanding their value proposition by selling not only devices, but also services. However, derived actions are only valuable if the data is authentic. Digital identities enable complex, secure processes that connect manufacturers, suppliers and operators worldwide. This means that the origin and authenticity of devices can always be clearly proven and counterfeits identified. New business models are also conceivable, such as a usage-based pay-per-use model for robots or the activation of license-based features for individual components.
New business models
Digital identities are not only important for secure communication in the network, but also have the potential to expand business models. If a machine or even a component can be uniquely identified, its performance can be assigned to a customer order as part of as-a-service models or rental contracts, for example, and its production data automatically recorded for billing purposes.