Safety via Security

Safety is important in any industrial environment, but in some industries special precautions must be followed to ensure ongoing safe operation. Many sites use a Safety Instrumentation System (SIS) to monitor the plant process and override the control system if critical parameters go outside of normal limits.

It's well documented that cyber security incidents can compromise the operation of control systems. The same thing can happen to your SIS. What steps have you taken to protect it?

The conclusion is unavoidable: cyber security is vital to achieving safe operation. That's why your network design should include special protection for your Safety Instrumentation System, by isolating the SIS into its own network security zone and protecting that zone with the Tofino Security Appliance.

Security and safety firms merge

Recognizing the need to bring safety and security together was behind the merger of Byres Research Inc., another Byres company, and exida. Eric Byres is the CTO of  Byres Research Inc., now under the umbrella of exida.

exida is a certification and research firm specializing in safety and high availability automation systems.  Byres Research Inc.  is a leader in critical infrastructure security.

"We are pleased to welcome Byres Research Inc. into the exida family," said John Cusimano, exida director of security services. "This merger represents a major step in bringing the safety and security communities together with a common goal of helping to protect our critical facilities."