Icon Labs claims first ever embedded protection for IoT devices that connect via Modbus protocol

Alan Grau, president, Icon Labs

Icon Labs, a provider of embedded networking and security technology, has released its Floodgate Modbus Protocol Filtering product.

This extension to its Floodgate Security Framework reportedly adds critical protection capabilities for Industrial IoT and RTOS-based devices.

The Floodgate Modbus Protocol filter provides the critical missing layer of security for Modbus/TCP devices. Integrated into the device, Floodgate Modbus Protocol filtering utilises deep packet inspection to enforce virtual network segmentation and to control packets processed based upon source network address, function code, and packet data contents.

“The Modbus/TCP protocol currently lacks any real security, making these devices sitting ducks for even moderately skilled hackers,” said Alan Grau, president of Icon Labs. “Several attempts to add security to Modbus/TCP have been proposed, but none provide a cost-effective solution for legacy devices while maintaining interoperability with the protocol standard. Modbus packet filtering addresses this problem by enforcing policies and inserting a layer of control without changing the underlying protocol.”filteringengine4stageLR

Floodgate Modbus Protocol filtering is an extension of the Floodgate Firewall, an endpoint firewall solution designed for embedded and RTOS-based systems. The solution integrates with the native TCP/IP stack on the device and provides control over the packets processed by the device. The Modbus Protocol filtering extension provides control over the Modbus packets processed by the device based upon Modbus function code, originating IP address, or Modbus packet content. Integration with the Floodgate Agent enables detection and reporting of malicious traffic.

“Achieving security while maintaining interoperability with legacy solutions is critical to the adoption of the Industrial IoT,” stated Warren Kurisu, director of Product Management – Runtime Solutions, Embedded Systems Division, Mentor Graphics. “Adding a layer of protection for Modbus/TCP devices closes a critical security loophole for Industrial Automation Systems.”

Icon Labs’ Floodgate Security Framework is a comprehensive security solution for embedded devices providing security management, secure boot, intrusion detection, secure firmware updates, and an embedded firewall. These capabilities provide the building blocks for achieving EDSA certification, ISA/IEC 62443 compliance, and/or compliance with the NIST cybersecurity framework.

Icon Labs’ products provide embedded security for IoT and Machine to Machine (M2M) solutions such as aerospace, military and space probes, industrial and medical control devices, and consumer electronics products. The Floodgate Security Framework provide a “defense in depth” solution to protect control units and endpoint devices from cyber threats, aid in compliance with regulatory mandates and guidelines, and gather and report command, event and device status information for audit requirements.

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_ OR @jcIoTnow

RECENT ARTICLES

Semtech enhances global connectivity with NTN support in HL78 modules

Posted on: March 29, 2024

Semtech Corporation has announced the integration of non-terrestrial network (NTN) support into its HL series LPWA modules, specifically the HL7810 and HL7812. This significant advancement showcases a leap forward in enabling uninterrupted global connectivity even amidst the most challenging conditions.

Read more

Enhance EV charging performance with cellular connectivity

Posted on: March 28, 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily growing their market share at the expense of internal combustion engine vehicles. The growth is fuelled by several factors. Perhaps most importantly, prices for EVs have started to drop as competition in the industry is intensifying. New players and models are emerging, prompting several established EV makers to lower their

Read more
FEATURED IoT STORIES

What is IoT? A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on: April 5, 2023

What is IoT? IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the connection of everyday objects, or “things,” to the internet, allowing them to collect, transmit, and share data. This interconnected network of devices transforms previously “dumb” objects, such as toasters or security cameras, into smart devices that can interact with each other and their

Read more

The IoT Adoption Boom – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on: September 28, 2022

In an age when we seem to go through technology boom after technology boom, it’s hard to imagine one sticking out. However, IoT adoption, or the Internet of Things adoption, is leading the charge to dominate the next decade’s discussion around business IT. Below, we’ll discuss the current boom, what’s driving it, where it’s going,

Read more

9 IoT applications that will change everything

Posted on: September 1, 2021

Whether you are a future-minded CEO, tech-driven CEO or IT leader, you’ve come across the term IoT before. It’s often used alongside superlatives regarding how it will revolutionize the way you work, play, and live. But is it just another buzzword, or is it the as-promised technological holy grail? The truth is that Internet of

Read more

Which IoT Platform 2021? IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide

Posted on: August 30, 2021

There are several different parts in a complete IoT solution, all of which must work together to get the result needed, write IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide – Which IoT Platform 2021? authors Robin Duke-Woolley, the CEO and Bill Ingle, a senior analyst, at Beecham Research. Figure 1 shows these parts and, although not all

Read more

CAT-M1 vs NB-IoT – examining the real differences

Posted on: June 21, 2021

As industry players look to provide the next generation of IoT connectivity, two different standards have emerged under release 13 of 3GPP – CAT-M1 and NB-IoT.

Read more

IoT and home automation: What does the future hold?

Posted on: June 10, 2020

Once a dream, home automation using iot is slowly but steadily becoming a part of daily lives around the world. In fact, it is believed that the global market for smart home automation will reach $40 billion by 2020.

Read more

5 challenges still facing the Internet of Things

Posted on: June 3, 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) has quickly become a huge part of how people live, communicate and do business. All around the world, web-enabled devices are turning our world into a more switched-on place to live.

Read more