Security for industrial plants with Windows 7
Protect your industrial Windows 7 computer – even after the end of support on January 14, 2020.
Microsoft support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020. From this date, it is no longer possible to protect against security vulnerabilities on Windows 7 computers by applying updates as in the past. Protect your plant now with the mGuard security module from Phoenix Contact – without even having to access the running system.
Your advantages
- Retrofit the existing network easily: no change to the existing system configuration, thanks to the patented stealth mode
- As fast as usual: the real-time performance of the system is not affected
- Cost-effective, as it is not necessary to completely replace hardware, software, and production plants
- Straightforward integration into your automation and IT landscape
- Optimum protection with the industrial CIFS Integrity Monitoring virus sensor
Windows computers in automation
End of support for Windows 7 – what does it mean?
Microsoft’s extended support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020. From this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates to protect against new security vulnerabilities. Your exposure to security risks will therefore increase daily: attackers can infiltrate production computers with the old Windows operating system or they can be infected by viruses, trojans, or other worms.
For this reason, Microsoft and security experts advise against unprotected continued operation. It is time to act!
Protection against viruses by means of CIFS Integrity Monitoring
The CIFS Integrity Monitoring (CIM) function of mGuard is an industrial virus sensor that monitors your file systems for unexpected changes and detects whether a Windows computer has been infected by malware. If a change is detected, mGuard sends an alert via e-mail or SNMP trap. CIFS Integrity Monitoring is an alternative industrial-grade solution to conventional antivirus software. Its main advantage is that the load on the Windows computer is minimal and the real-time properties are not adversely affected. Regular loading of virus patterns is not required with mGuard.
The mGuard CIFS Integrity Monitoring function
Stealth mode – security without changing the system
Thanks to the patented stealth mode, the mGuard security module can be integrated into an existing network later on in a completely transparent way. Since mGuard automatically adopts the MAC and IP addresses of the systems to be protected, you do not have to assign additional addresses for managing the mGuard security modules. Furthermore, no changes need to be made to the network configuration.
mGuard security module with integrated firewall
Isolating the Windows computer by means of a firewall
In order to minimize the security risk posed by a Windows 7 computer in a network, it should be isolated as much as possible from other networks. The mGuard firewall controls and filters communication from and to the systems to be protected using a configurable ruleset. Communication is thereby restricted to the partners, protocols, ports, and connection directions required in order for the entire plant to work.
Our network specialists – here for you
If required, our specialists will check your network and design an individual security concept for your system based on your requirements. Furthermore, they can provide training for your employees in industrial network security.
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