identity

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offers a multitude of opportunities in a wide variety of applications. Similar to the IoT, the high degree of distribution, the heterogeneity, size and dynamics of the network pose new challenges to the security of such systems. A pivot for security in IIoT is trusted identities of the participating subsystems. Common IT security approaches are often too costly and inflexible. Furthermore, mechanisms to disseminate trusted information and to ensure the authenticity of data and transactions are often required. The article describes concepts for dealing with these challenges and outlines suitable solutions as well as approaches from current research for the special features in the IIoT.

On the technical level there are different possibilities to fight counterfeiting and to prohibit the use of counterfeited parts in machinery and equipment. The aim should be to enable the machinery control to recognize the exchange of wearing or the assembly of additional parts automatically and to check its originality independently. RFID offers not only the conditions to realise the suggested functions but also to implement additional benefits for manufacturer and customer.