Safety
Safety PLC
A safety-rated controller executing certified safety functions, often alongside standard control tasks in machine environments.
Critical criticalityLevel 1 (safety)
What it does
Executes safety logic (e-stops, guard interlocks, light curtains) with diagnostic coverage suited to the required safety level.
Typically locatedMachine and cell control panels.
At a glance
PurdueLevel 1 (safety)
CategorySafety
Protocolscip-safety, profinet, ethernet-ip, umas
Talks toSafety I/O, Standard controller, Safety configuration tooling
Common vendorsRockwell Automation (GuardLogix), Siemens (S7-1500F / S7-1200F, PROFIsafe), Schneider Electric (Modicon M580 Safety), ABB (AC 500-S), Omron, Phoenix Contact
Why should I care?
Safety PLC sits at Level 1 (safety). 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
- Shared network with standard control traffic
- Safety configuration tools on general-purpose laptops
- Undocumented bypasses
If it is compromised
- Machine guarding functions can be undermined
- Personnel safety risk
What to monitor
- Safety program signature changes
- Bypass activation
- Safety connection faults
How to defend it
- Change control with engineering sign-off
- Password/lock safety configuration
- Alarm on signature change
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