First launch at SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2011: automation tool CoDeSys now available with CodeMeter technology for the protection of PLCs
Product protection and know-how protection for the automation industry
Karlsruhe – The result of successful cooperation between software protection supplier Wibu-Systems AG and the supplier of CoDeSys for PLC application development, 3S-Smart Software Solutions GmbH, will be presented for the first time at the joint CoDeSys booth in hall 7-530 at the trade show SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2011 in Germany.
The CodeMeter encryption tools are completely integrated into the CoDeSys development environment and will be available in the future under the name CoDeSys Security. Both manufacturers of industrial machinery as well as users of PLC solutions will benefit from the extended security functions, as the topic of investment protection has gained importance by preventing reverse engineering of software.
The latest CoDeSys version 3.5 in combination with the protection hardware, CoDeSys Security Key, allows manufacturers of automation solutions to effectively protect their developed solutions based on IEC 61131-3 against product piracy by using the CodeMeter technology. Thus – the CoDeSys security system helps to protect valuable know-how against reverse engineering, unauthorized copying and transfer to other PLCs.
The request for an integrated protection system offering security in relevant industrial machinery will be fulfilled by the additional available security functions: “signed application” and “encrypted communication”, between programming PCs and PLCs. In combination with an integrated user administration tool, manipulation of a PLC by a third person is prevented.
Additionally the manufacturers of machines can introduce new business models such as Pay-per-Use or Feature-on-Demand for their PLC’s, and can easily create and supply required licenses for their customers. Software protection using the hardware CmDongle is characterized by effective license management and ease of handling as all information is available any time and anywhere. All CoDeSys security functions are optional and can be used stand-alone.
Two panel discussions will complement the trade fair presence for fair visitors: one of the panel members is Oliver Winzenried, CEO of Wibu-Systems AG as well as CEO of the group “Protect-Ing” of VDMA (German Engineering Federation). Discussion panels include: “Security in Automation” on November 22 and “Know-how protection in Automation and Production – Challenges and Solutions” on November 24 – both in German language at the VDMA forum located in hall 4A-541.
Oliver Winzenried adds: „During the development we have experienced positive feedback for the integration of CodeMeter into CoDeSys. We have worked closely with one another at closing the gap between product protection and know-how protection within the automation industry – offering feasible solutions for this industry. The basis for doing so is the protection hardware – CmDongle, which provides a high level of security, flexibility and robustness within factory environments and at the same time offering various form factors that retrofit easily into existing PLCs, such as CF and SD cards.”