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Field

Field Device

Collective term for instrumentation and final elements installed on the process.

Medium criticalityLevel 0

What it does

Measures or acts on physical conditions.

Typically locatedThe process area.

At a glance

PurdueLevel 0
CategoryField
Protocolshart, profibus, foundation-fieldbus
Talks toControllers, Asset management
Common vendorsMultiple

Why should I care?

Field Device sits at Level 0. Compromise here is not just a data problem — it changes what the physical process does or what operators can see and control.

Common security problems

  • Rarely inventoried at the device level
  • Physical access is the dominant risk

If it is compromised

  • Distorted process view or action

What to monitor

  • Configuration change records
  • Diagnostics

How to defend it

  • Physical security and formal change control