How To Provide Remote DCS Support Without Compromising System Security

Critical DCS Support Aspects

There are times in the life of a DCS system that timely access to operating data is critical for maintenance of reliable operation. Sites have only a few DCS specialists, whose time is severely limited. Even the most critical systems do not have 24/7 resident specialists available.

INFI 90 Has Read-Only Access (via DBDOC)

INFI 90 systems are fortunate, because remote read-only access to live DCS data is possible by way of DBDOC. The DCS specialists can examine a plant situation in the most timely manner possible. They can respond faster, diagnose problems from anywhere and guide people at the plant through fault-finding and problem resolution immediately rather than adversely affecting the plant (and the public) with the delay time needed for them to get to the plant.

Read-only access protected by a VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows immediate plant support, increasing the reliability of the plant output, as well as its profitability and safety. Reliablility, profitability and safety gains - things worth working for.

How Safe is the Plant VPN?

Competent IT techniques protect access to salary, accounts payable, and accounts receivable data. All manner of plant technical and operating data is just as well protected. VPN technology is critical to the operation of companies.

What if somebody can see the data? DBDOC's read-only access guarantees that no changes can be made to the DCS.

Decrees About Access From Outside

Decrees have been made in some operations that there shall be no access to the plant data from outside the process network. On-site action is required to resolve problems, even if it takes the support personnel too long to get there to do the job. Valid performance requires far more people than are available or can reasonably be trained to the level needed.

 Should Prohibiting External Access be Reviewed?

It will take disasters caused by ill-considered decrees limiting access for support purposes to force the re-examination of such policies. More likely, fingers will be pointed at various people, none of them culpable.

DBDOC has created the ability to do immediate and effective read-only trouble-shooting remotely for INFI 90 systems. The people using DBDOC read-only access know that it helps them make their plants safer and more reliable.