PROFINET Security has developed step by step over the last few years. With the latest additions in the area of control system startup, a scalable security concept is now available that can be flexibly adapted to the respective application.
The basis of any cybersecurity strategy is factors such as possible attack vectors, the visibility of components in the network, and the appropriate protective measures. While final harmonization with international standards such as IEC 62443 is still in progress, the framework conditions are already clearly recognizable. Users and manufacturers can now implement measures on this basis – from simple protective mechanisms to integrated cybersecurity.
For particularly exposed systems, PROFINET Security offers security classes 2 and 3. This allows data access to be secured not only for simple use cases such as asset management, but also for complex scenarios such as AI-supported analyses or digital twins. This keeps the architecture open and future-proof for increasing requirements.
Implementation is ensured by plugfests and special test environments. At the same time, PROFINET Security keeps pace with ongoing regulations – not only in the EU, but worldwide. There is considerable international interest in this solution. Another advantage is its compatibility with other PI technologies and concepts such as IO-Link or NOA. Since these come from a single source—the PI community—the result is a consistent, comprehensive, and user-friendly solution, from architecture to implementation.

