OPC DataHub Now Ensures Security of OPC Data Over a Network

The latest version of the OPC DataHub features built-in SSL encryption to provide secure tunnelling of OPC data across a network or the Internet.

Georgetown, Ontario (July 31, 2007) The OPC DataHub from Cogent Real-Time Systems now includes SSL encryption as a standard feature, providing high security for connecting manufacturing and process data to the rest of the enterprise. Based on the OPC DataHub's established ability to link OPC servers and clients across a network, and to bypass the pitfalls of DCOM, SSL encryption adds yet another option to ensure safe and reliable data communication.

[Image of OPC DataHubs connected over a TCP network,
tunnelling data from an OPC server to an OPC
client, a database, and an Excel spreadsheet.]

"Process control environments were once islands unto themselves," said Andrew Thomas, president of Cogent. "As the need grows to connect them to each other and to the rest of the company, the need for security grows as well. This latest version of the OPC DataHub was specifically designed to meet that need."

In the past, transmitting OPC data over a network relied on DCOM, which was not designed for securing real-time data communications. Since industrial networks were completely cut off from the Internet and even corporate networks, security was not an issue. But now, easy access to process data made possible by widespread acceptance of OPC has created a need for rapid, robust, and secure data transmission across a network.

The OPC DataHub replaces DCOM with OPC tunnelling that is firewall-friendly, easy to configure, low bandwidth, and recovers quickly from network breaks. OPC DataHub's SSL feature maintains all of these advantages while adding one-click configuration for secure SSL transmission.

The OPC DataHub gives quick, reliable, and secure access to valuable information direct from the factory floor. It is an integrated tool that can present live process data directly on an engineer's or manager's desk in a form most suitable: database, spreadsheet, or web page. This new SSL encryption ensures a high level of security for critical plant data being transmitted across a network.

Founded in 1995, Cogent Real-Time Systems is the leader in real-time cross-platform data integration between Windows, Linux and QNX. Customers include the Bank of Canada, Cadbury Chocolate and the European Space Agency. Cogent leverages its experience in real-time data communications to provide the next generation of OPC products.