PTC Enhances Industrial Control System Security with New Release of Kepware Industrial Connectivity Platform
June 19 2018 - 3:28PM
Business Wire
Customers with a Valid License Can Access
Critical Security Enhancements with Free Upgrade To KEPServerEX
Version 6.5 for a Limited Time
Kepware®, a PTC business developing industrial connectivity
software, today announced the release of the KEPServerEX®
version 6.5 industrial connectivity platform. With this
release, PTC demonstrates its commitment to industrial control
system (ICS) security and providing its customers with tools and
best practices that support defense-in-depth programs. Available
immediately and free for existing users with valid V5 and V6
licenses of KEPServerEX, KEPServerEX version 6.5 includes
comprehensive secure deployment guidelines, greater project file
protection, enhanced password configuration, and other updated
security components.
To strengthen cybersecurity collaboration with its customers,
PTC is introducing a Shared Responsibility Model in conjunction
with KEPServerEX version 6.5. This model defines a framework for
PTC and its customers to work together to increase the security of
deployments.
“In today’s security landscape, the pressure is on all
industrial organizations to secure their operations networks.
Recent breaches emphasize the growing need for constantly evolving
defense-in-depth strategies, tactics, and tools,” said Kathleen
Mitford, executive vice president, Products, PTC. “By establishing
a Shared Responsibility Model, we can work directly with our
customers to address security issues experienced by industrial
organizations of all sizes. We remain committed to adding new
security features to our products and maintaining up-to-date
components to help customers reduce exposure to vulnerabilities and
cyber-attacks.”
To encourage adoption of security best practices, KEPServerEX
version 6.5 features a new comprehensive Secure Deployment Guide
intended to help users implement production instances of
KEPServerEX in a way that can help to reduce security risks. The
guide provides strategic recommendations on utilizing secure
interfaces and the Configuration API, on-going server maintenance,
KEPServerEX installation and post-installation actions, and
more.
Additional security resources and enhancements within
KEPServerEX version 6.5 include:
- Project File Protection: Enables
users to encrypt .opf project files when they are being transferred
to other users or other instances of KEPServerEX. This capability
uses modern encryption to make it more difficult for attackers to
use brute force methods.
- Administrator Password in
Install: Allows users to set an administrator password during
the KEPServerEX install to strengthen security of application-level
settings—even before configuration.
- Back-end Security Updates:
Updated encryption algorithms help combat modern
encryption-breaking technology and strengthen the on-going security
of the application.
“PTC operates and innovates in the new security threat
environment, and we fully understand the challenges our customers
face when trying to improve security and uptime in their
facilities,” said Jeff Bates, product manager, PTC. “With
KEPServerEX version 6.5, we are showing our commitment to helping
our customers deploy KEPServerEX into production in a way that
reduces security risks.”
PTC recognizes how difficult it is to upgrade ICS systems and
components, especially for users with validated systems. To make
upgrading KEPServerEX easier for customers, PTC is offering a free
version 6.5 upgrade to all users with a valid Version 5 or Version
6 license for a limited time, including licenses without an active
support agreement. PTC is also offering support and maintenance at
a discounted rate to enable customers to continue safeguarding
their operations as more security features are added to
KEPServerEX.
As part of its commitment to ensuring continuous product
enhancements, KEPServerEX version 6.5 also includes updates to 32
other server components, drivers, and advanced plug-ins. Users will
benefit from enhancements made to the Torque Tool Ethernet driver,
TIA Portal Exporter Utility, MQTT Client driver and server
performance, as well as new store and forward capabilities for the
ThingWorx® Native Interface.
Additional Resources
- Learn more about KEPServerEX version
6.5
- Learn more about KEPServerEX version
6.5Download a demo now
- Download the Shared Responsibility
whitepaperDownload the Shared Responsibility whitepaperDownload the
KEPServerEX Secure Deployment Guide
- Download the Shared Responsibility
whitepaperDownload the KEPServerEX Secure Deployment Guide
- Contact a Kepware representative at +1
888-KEPWARE (537-9273) x208 or sales@kepware.com
About Kepware@Kepware is a software development
business of PTC Inc. located in Portland, Maine. Kepware
provides a portfolio of software solutions to help businesses
connect diverse automation devices and software applications and
enable the Industrial Internet of Things. From plant floor to
wellsite to windfarm, Kepware serves a wide range of customers in a
variety of vertical markets including Manufacturing, Oil & Gas,
Building Automation, Power & Utilities, and more. Established
in 1995 and now distributed in more than 100 countries, Kepware's
software solutions help thousands of businesses improve operations
and decision making. Learn more
at https://www.kepware.com/.
About PTC (NASDAQ: PTC)PTC helps companies around the
world reinvent the way they design, manufacture, operate, and
service products in and for a smart, connected world. In 1986 we
revolutionized digital 3D design, and in 1998 were first to market
with Internet-based product lifecycle management. Today, our
leading industrial innovation platform and field-proven solutions
enable you to unlock value at the convergence of the physical and
digital worlds. With PTC, manufacturers and an ecosystem of
partners and developers can capitalize on the promise of the
Internet of Things and augmented reality technology today and drive
the future of innovation.
PTC.com @PTC Blogs
PTC, Kepware, KEPServerEX, ThingWorx, and the PTC and Kepware
logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of PTC Inc. or its
subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180619006312/en/
PTC Corporate CommunicationsJack McAvoy,
781-370-6143jmcavoy@ptc.com
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