PHOENIX /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Honeywell has been honored for its cyber security expertise with a 2006 Control System/SCADA Security Leadership Award from the SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security (SANS) Institute. One of the industry's largest process control and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) vendors, Honeywell was recognized for rapidly qualifying Microsoft security updates, as well as for using built-in control firewalls. These measures have helped industrial facilities protect their SCADA systems from the growing threat of cyber terrorism.
"Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing concerns in the process industry because a disruption to a process can trigger a disaster that could affect every plant worker and even the surrounding communities," said Alan Paller, director of the SANS Institute. "Buyers of process control equipment need help from the vendors to protect their systems from attack. Honeywell is leading the industry in making security easier and less expensive for their customers."
The award was presented by Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity. Honeywell was among 15 recipients of this year's award.
"The most effective method for controlling process operations is to have an open system that allows devices within a plant to communicate with each other, but an open system can be vulnerable to cyber threats," said Jack Bolick, president of Honeywell Process Solutions. "Vendors can help ensure that manufacturers can do their jobs without having to worry about their system's security."
SCADA is a common process control application that collects data from sensors on the plant floor or in remote locations and sends them to a central computer for management and control. The SANS Institute recognized Honeywell for demonstrating that vendors can eliminate a significant amount of the cost and uncertainty involved in securing SCADA systems.
For example, Honeywell tests all relevant security patches that operating system vendors deliver so that users of their systems can install patches quickly without risking the system's reliability. Additionally, Honeywell delivers a built-in control firewall with its technology that is preconfigured to allow only relevant control communications to occur on the process control network. This best practice helps to protect the process control network, which is the heart of any processing facility.
Honeywell International is a $30 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, Chicago, and Pacific Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Honeywell Process Solutions is part of Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions group, a global leader in providing product and service solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings, and industry.