The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains addresses important security fixes.

For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.3b is ready for download.

This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of bug fixes and exact details. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains.

Topics: Firmware, cybersecurity, snap pac

groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about.

(Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!)

Topics: Firmware, EPIC, groov View, groov EPIC

First, OptoTagPreserve has been updated! If you are a fan of this useful utility program (as I am), be sure to download the latest version.

If you're new to PAC Control, or haven't tried OptoTagPreserve, here is why you should take a closer look.

Topics: Firmware, PAC Control, OptoTagPreserve, groov EPIC, snap pac

In a recent blog post, Terry Orchard covered one of the programming options available on the groov EPIC: secure shell (SSH) access. If you’re familiar with Linux shell commands, you can use secure shell access to install application packages and add functionality to your groov EPIC Edge Programmable Industrial Controller.

For example, you could add a local database server.

Topics: groov EPIC, Linux, ssh, MariaDB, PostgreSQL

The groov EPIC has always come pre-installed with Ignition Edge® by Inductive Automation® on board. Ignition Edge in the EPIC means you have OPC-UA drivers built in to communicate with other control systems (for example, Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs). It also means you can use MQTT/Sparkplug for more efficient and secure data communications. 

But starting with groov EPIC firmware version 1.4.0 (released in August 2019), that changes—in a good way. You now have the option to choose which edition of Ignition you run on your Edge Programmable Industrial Controller—either Ignition Edge or full Ignition.

Topics: Ignition Edge, groov EPIC

The OS, or operating system, of groov EPIC is very different from traditional controllers. Instead of a proprietary OS, EPIC uses an open-source Linux® operating system.

From a security standpoint, an “open source” OS sounds scary. But in many ways it is more secure than a closed-source one, especially a well-known and often-attacked OS such as Microsoft® Windows®.

Topics: EPIC, groov EPIC, EPIC Security, Linux, secure shell, ssh, EPIC Security Series

Go on, admit it. At some point in your life you've written down a password on a piece of paper in clear text. Anybody walking by can simply glance at your note, and they'll know what your password is.

No, you have never done that? Excellent. 

But if you've ever used your web browser to log into a website over the web, and entered sensitive information like your password without encryption, you've effectively transmitted that information through the internet for all to see, almost like writing it on paper and showing it around.

Whoa.

Topics: Security, IIoT, groov EPIC, cybersecurity, EPIC Security, encryption, EPIC Security Series

In this blog post, let’s take a closer look at user accounts on the groov EPIC system, and how you can improve your system security by giving users and services fine-grained access to applications running on EPIC. In other words, make sure each person or service has only the access they really need and nothing more.

But before we get deep into user accounts, let’s first discuss user account credentials. Take a moment and ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you use the same password for multiple accounts?
• Do you use a mix of punctuation and capital letters in your passwords?
• Do you use long phrases as your passwords?

Topics: Security, groov View, groov EPIC, groov Manage, cybersecurity, EPIC Security, User Accounts, EPIC Security Series

The story goes that a valve manufacturer wanted to have their networked smart valves certified for use in a nuclear reactor plant. The smart valve could report all sorts of critical data points to a database system and also be controlled by that SCADA system in the plant. But to get it certified for use, the smart valve had to undergo a rigorous security audit by the information technology (IT) department at the plant.

Topics: Security, MQTT, groov EPIC, cybersecurity, firewall, EPIC Security, EPIC Security Series

Ever notice how emergency exits in a building open outward? Then, to keep the building secure, they are usually locked from the outside. You can get out easily enough, but you can’t get in that way.

However, on a building’s main front entrance, the door often swings in so you can enter. Typically, there is a security guard or perhaps a receptionist there to check your ID and keep an eye on the comings and goings.

Topics: Security, groov View, groov EPIC, groov Manage, cybersecurity, firewall, EPIC Security, EPIC Security Series