Honeywell opens Industrial Cyber Security Research Lab
Cybersecurity attacks have increased exponentially in the last few years, keeping that in mind, Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) has announced the introduction of the Industrial Cyber Security Lab to advance its development and testing of latest technologies and software to protect industrial services and operations from cyber-attacks.
The Honeywell Industrial Cyber Security Lab, located in Duluth, Georgia (GA), includes a model of a widespread process control network that Honeywell cyber security experts will leverage for research, hands-on training, and to develop, test and certify industrial cyber security solutions. This new lab will also support quicken development time of new cyber protection technologies and speed available to clients. Apart from this, Honeywell’s ICS group has also added a number of cyber security experts to raise the bench strength of its development and business teams.
As per the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT) report, cyber incidents on industrial targets in 2014 continue to rise and it has increased by 25% since 2011. It has also been revealed in the report that in 40% of incidents that were reported, experts did not know how hackers intruded the system.
“We have a successful history of providing cyber defense solutions for our industrial customers and this new cyber lab expands our capabilities,” said Jeff Zindel, global business leader for Cyber Security, HPS. “We will be able to validate new solutions faster in a variety of scenarios and increase our customers’ defenses against the growing threat of cyber-attacks.”
“Many of our customers have come to us looking for cyber security solutions to defend their industrial facilities, operations and people from damage, disruption and misuse,” added Zindel. “They understand the very real threat that is out there, and they want to be more proactive in guarding against it. Honeywell is building on its leading industrial cyber security expertise and experience with this new research and development lab as well as adding highly-regarded cyber security experts around the globe to support our customers’ growing needs.”
Those who are unaware, for more than a decade, Honeywell has developed and provided proprietary cyber protection software and technology for its leading process automation solutions like Experion process controls, chemical plants, gas processing units, power plants, mines and mills around the world. During that time, the Honeywell ICS group has delivered over 1,000 industrial cyber security projects globally, company’s website notes.
