Backup System for enhancing the security of information technological control facilities

• US 20150113662A1
• Filed: 10/14/2014
• Published: 04/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MB Connect Line GmbH Fernwartungssysteme
• Original Assignee: MB Connect Line GmbH Fernwartungssysteme
• Inventors: Mller, Siegfried
• Application Number:
  US14/513,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20150113662A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13188 Checking program data, parity, key
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1469 Backup restoration techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/50 Monitoring users, programs or devices to maintain the integrity of platforms, e.g. of processors, firmware or operating systems

Abstract

A backup device (100) is adapted to conduct a backup of a control device (200), with an interface (104), which may be coupled with the control device (200); a transmission unit (102), adapted to read data from the control device (200) via the interface (104) and/or write data to the control device (200) via the interface (104); a memory unit (108, 116), adapted to store the data read from the control device (104); a backup control unit (102) adapted to instruct the transmission unit (102), to read at least part of a program memory (208) of the control device (200) as first program backup data (120), and to instruct the memory unit (108, 116) to store the first program backup data (120) in a non-volatile way, wherein the backup control unit (102) is further adapted to instruct the transmission unit (202) to read at least part of a program memory (208) of the control device (200) as further program backup data (122, 122a); a comparison unit (102) adapted to compare the first program backup data (120) and the further program backup data (122, 122a); and a warning unit (102) adapted to release a warning, if the comparison unit (102) determines that the first program backup data (120) and the further program backup data (122, 122a) differ.

Claims

1. A backup device, adapted to conduct a backup of a control device, comprising:

an interface, which may be coupled with the control device;

a transmission unit, adapted to read data from the control device via the interface and/or write data to the control device via the interface;

a memory unit, adapted to store the data read from the control device;

a backup control unit adapted to instruct the transmission unit, to read at least part of a program memory of the control device as first program backup data, and to instruct the memory unit to store the first program backup data in a non-volatile way, wherein the backup control unit is further adapted to instruct the transmission unit to read at least part of a program memory of the control device as further program backup data;

a comparison unit adapted to compare the first program backup data and the further program backup data; and

a warning unit adapted to release a warning, if the comparison unit determines that the first program backup data and the further program backup data differ.

2. The backup device according to claim 1, wherein the backup control unit is adapted to instruct the transmission unit to write the first program backup data to the program memory of the control device, if the comparison unit determines that the first program backup data and the further program backup data differ.

3. The backup device according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit, by means of which a user may confirm that the first program backup data are to be written to the program memory of the control device, wherein the backup control unit is adapted to instruct the transmission unit, to write the first program backup data to the program memory of the control device, if the program backup data and the further program backup data differ and if the user confirms by means of the input unit that the first program backup data are to be written to the program memory of the control device.

4. The backup device according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit is adapted to release the warning via e-mail, via SMS, a digital outlet and/or via a relay.

5. The backup device according to claim 1, wherein the comparison unit is adapted to determine manipulation to the program code of the control device and/or contamination by computer viruses in the program code of the control device.

6. The backup device according to claim 1, wherein the backup control unit is adapted to instruct the transmission unit to read at least a part of a dynamic memory of the control device as dynamic backup data, and to instruct the memory unit to store the dynamic backup data in a non-volatile way.

7. The backup device according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises an Ethernet interface, MPI interface, and/or a Profibus interface.

8. The backup device according to claim 1, further comprising a timer adapted to instruct the backup control unit to read, after lapse of a predetermined time interval, at least a part of the program memory of the control device as further program backup data from the control device, to instruct the comparison unit to compare the first program backup data with the further program backup data, and to instruct the warning unit to release a warning, if the first program backup data and the further program backup data differ.