The present inventors have determined that implementation of an authentication process which can be selectively applied to safeguard parameters which modify dispensing of particulate material during agricultural operations can advantageously allow users of varying levels of experience and understanding to maintain ease of conducting field operations while reducing the possibility of waste and expense. A control system can determine a level of access for an operator or user on an individual basis. Upon determining a level of access for the operator to be sufficient for modifying a parameter, the control system can apply an input from the operator to modify the parameter, and can accordingly adjust dispensing of particulate material.

Operator actions and/or other commands or requests are secured via an authentication path from an action originator to a communications/control module or any other industrial element/controller. In implementations, an industrial control system includes an action authenticator configured to sign an action request generated by the action originator. The destination communications/control module or any other industrial element/controller is configured to receive the signed action request, verify the authenticity of the signed action request, and perform a requested action when the authenticity of the signed action request is verified.

A method, performed by at least one processor, comprising generating a first set of images representative of configuration data associated with an industrial automation system. An electronic display may display at least one image of the first set of images. The processor may detect a change in the configuration data and retrieve updated configuration data from the industrial automation system. The processor may encode the updated configuration data into a second set of images and display at least one additional image of the second set of images on the electronic display.

A device for securely operating a field device includes: the field device, which includes at least one human-machine interface having a display device and a keyboard for operating the field device, and a communications interface for connecting a local operating device having a secure connection to a trusted server via a communications network, the secure connection being based upon an authentication feature of a local operator. The field device during use as intended does not have a secure connection to a network for process control. The field device provides and stores a query key. The field device is connected, at least logically, to the local operating device. The trusted server has a private key for providing a signed response key. The signed response key is based upon the query key.

A method for conducting a bioprocess with a digital control unit of a bioprocess arrangement, wherein the digital control unit comprises a local data storage and a local processor unit, wherein the digital control unit comprises a bioprocess interface for sending and receiving bioprocess control data, wherein bioprocess data are generated by the digital control unit, wherein a bioprocess control routine is executed by the local processor unit to control the bioprocess, wherein in the bioprocess control routine, the bioprocess data are generated by the digital control unit from actuator data and/or sensor data and/or user control command data. It is proposed that a signing routine is initiated by the local processor unit in the data safety routine to be executed by an external signing unit(s).

A method, performed by at least one processor, comprising generating a first set of images representative of configuration data associated with an industrial automation system. An electronic display may display at least one image of the first set of images. The processor may detect a change in the configuration data and retrieve updated configuration data from the industrial automation system. The processor may encode the updated configuration data into a second set of images and display at least one additional image of the second set of images on the electronic display.

A battery for a vaporization apparatus includes a data storage device configured to read authorization data for an authorized user of the vaporization apparatus and a user interface configured to receive a security input from a user. The battery also includes an electronic controller configured to communicate electronically with the user interface and the data storage device, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to receive the security input from the user interface, compare the received security input with the authorization data to identify the authorized user in an authentication process, and authorize use of the vaporization apparatus.

A semiconductor manufacturing system includes: a local operation terminal that displays an apparatus screen of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus; at least one remote operation terminals that are connected to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus via a network, and display the apparatus screen; and a controller that controls the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus based on an operation received from a user by the local operation terminal and the remote operation terminal that display the apparatus screen. The control device includes: a login state managing unit; an apparatus screen display state managing unit; and a screen data creating unit that creates screen data of the apparatus screen based on the simultaneous login state and the apparatus screen display state.

A security unit for an industrial control system comprises an interface adapted to communicate with a plurality of components of an industrial control system via a data network, a security assignor adapted to access a first component among the plurality of components via the interface, and further adapted to assign a first security level pertaining to the first component to the first component. The security assignor is further adapted to access a second component among the plurality of components via the interface, and to assign a second security level pertaining to the second component to the second component. The security assignor is adapted to assign the first security level and the second security level to the first component and the second component, respectively, in accordance with a system security level pertaining to the industrial control system.

A method for providing access information for access to a field device for process automation is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining, at a users operating device, at least one access information issued to the user for an access to at least one field device via the operating device, assigning, at the users operating device, a further user to the determined at least one access information, and sending an access permission comprising information relating to the determined at least one access information and to the further user assigned to the determined access information such that the determined at least one access information is provided to the further user based on the access permission.