Initially isolated by IT from external access, these connections will require

standardization for increased external security while also having connection

management for internal equipment and process security. With advances in
communications technology brought on by the industrial internet of things (IIoT),
connectivity is evolving rapidly.

This evolution began with the development of widely applicable industrial computing
systems for human-machine interface (HMI) applications. Windows applications
introduced by Wonderware and Intellution allowed easier access to upper-level
business systems in the late 1980s. Years later, the proprietary network technologies
commonly used in automation systems started to transition to Ethernet. This
transition occurred initially at a higher level with programmable logic controllers
(PLCs) and Process Control Systems in the mid-1990s and then moved down to the
sensor level in 2000.

Today, cloud-based applications leverage advances in artificial intelligence

(AI), connecting these devices with internet technologies to perform advanced
analytics and optimization, which are key to Industry 4.0. The adoption of these
technologies takes time, and effective adoption requires a strategy. Remote
Access has been assisted by these technological advances but has slowed down
for several reasons. The following chapters will identify the various causes and
challenges. The goal is to provide a step by step
guide to move from complete isolation to a
safer and more secure collaborative
environment.

2021 I Practical Guide for Remote Access to Plant Equipment 7