Vacon and F-Secure to join forces for industrial automation security research

Global AC drive manufacturer Vacon and global computer security provider F-Secure have decided to team up on computer security research in industrial automation applications.

The idea on close cooperation between the two companies came after the case of the Stuxnet malware. As a forerunner in using industrial automation processes, Vacon brought its first software-based AC drives to the market in the middle of 1990s. Although the Stuxnet malware does not directly infect Vacon’s AC drives, Vacon regard this incident as a very important lesson for the whole industry to learn. F-Secure, a global antivirus company and leader in providing software as a service through operators, has analysed the threat posed by Stuxnet in detail.

- Stuxnet proves that factory automation systems can and will be targeted by malware. I’m afraid we will see more attacks like this, says Mikko Hyppönen, Chief Research Officer at F-Secure.

Industrial automation beyond Stuxnet

Vacon and F-Secure want to raise the industry’s awareness, understanding and know-how in the domains of industrial automation processes and data communication so that the industry can be prepared for such risks in the future.

- Stuxnet was an eye-opener for the whole industry. Our customers are of course asking us and other industrial automation key players about how they should react to the threat of Stuxnet. In partnership with F-Secure we aim to keep our customers up-to-date on this and other issues also in the future. As the world’s largest company that focuses solely on AC drives, we want to be the leader in data security in our industry, says Heikki Hiltunen, Executive Vice President at Vacon.

Press conference

Vacon will host a press conference at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2010 in Nuremberg, Germany on Wednesday, 24 November 2010 at 11.30–12.00 CET (Room Kiew, CNN Ost, Ebene 2). At the press conference, Chief Research Officer Mikko Hyppönen from F-Secure will share the latest news on the Stuxnet malware. Please notify Corporate Communications Director Sebastian Linko (sebastian.linko@vacon.com) of your attendance.

Vacon in brief

Vacon’s operations are driven by a passion to develop, manufacture and sell the best AC drives in the world — and nothing else. AC drives are used to control electric motors and in renewable energy generation. Vacon has R&D and production units in Finland, the USA, China and Italy, and sales offices in 27 countries. In 2009 Vacon had revenues of EUR 272 million and globally employed 1200 people. The shares of Vacon Plc (VAC1V) are quoted on the main list of the Helsinki stock exchange.

Driven by Drives, www.vacon.com

F-Secure – Protecting the irreplaceable

While you concentrate on what is important to you, we make sure you are protected and safe online whether you are using a computer or a smartphone. We also backup and enable you to share your important files. Our services are available through over 200 operators around the world and trusted in millions of homes and businesses. Founded in 1988, F-Secure is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.

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