Know-How Protection - Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 System Manual

9.4

Know-how protection

Application
You can use know-how protection to protect one or more OB, FB or FC blocks as well as
global data blocks in your program from unauthorized access. Enter a password to restrict
access to a block. The password offers high-level protection against unauthorized reading
and manipulation of the block. Know-how protection does not involve the CPU (offline
access in STEP 7).
Note
Please see the SINAMIC S120 documentation
(https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/ps/13231/man) for information on how to
prevent strictly confidential company expertise on configuration and parameter assignment
being read by unauthorized parties with SINAMICS Integrated.
Password provider
As an alternative to manual password input, you can assign a password provider to STEP 7.
When using a password provider, you select a password from a list of available passwords.
When a protected block is opened, STEP 7 connects to the password provider and retrieves
the corresponding password.
You need to install and activate a password provider before you can connect it. A settings
file in which you define the use of a password provider is also required.
A password provider offers the following advantages:
● The password provider defines and manages the passwords. When know-how protected
blocks are opened, you work with symbolic names for passwords. For example, a
password is marked with the symbolic name "Machine_1" n the password provider. The
actual password behind "Machine1" is disclosed to you.
A password provider therefore offers optimum block protection as the users do not know
the password themselves.
● STEP 7 automatically opens know-how protected blocks without the direct entry of a
password. This saves you time.
You can find more information on connecting a password provider in the STEP 7 online help.
SIMATIC Drive Controller
System Manual, 11/2019, A5E46600094-AA
Protection
9.4 Know-how protection
175