Siemens SIMATIC NET SCALANCE XC-300 Operating Instructions Manual page 16

Table of Contents

Advertisement

Security recommendations
3.1 Security recommendations
Authentication
Note
Accessibility risk - Risk of data loss
Do not lose the passwords for the device. Access to the device can only be restored by resetting
the device to factory settings which completely removes all configuration data.
• Replace the default passwords for all user accounts, access modes and applications (if
applicable) before you use the device.
• Define rules for the assignment of passwords.
• Use passwords with a high password strength. Avoid weak passwords, (e.g. password1,
123456789, abcdefgh) or recurring characters (e.g. abcabc).
This recommendation also applies to symmetrical passwords/keys configured on the device.
• Make sure that passwords are protected and only disclosed to authorized personnel.
• Do not use the same passwords for multiple user names and systems.
• Store the passwords in a safe location (not online) to have them available if they are lost.
• Regularly change your passwords to increase security.
• A password must be changed if it is known or suspected to be known by unauthorized
persons.
• When user authentication is performed via RADIUS, make sure that all communication takes
place within the security environment or is protected by a secure channel.
• Watch out for link layer protocols that do not offer their own authentication between
endpoints, such as ARP or IPv4. An attacker could use vulnerabilities in these protocols to
attack hosts, switches and routers connected to your layer 2 network, for example, through
manipulation (poisoning) of the ARP caches of systems in the subnet and subsequent
interception of the data traffic. Appropriate security measures must be taken for non-secure
layer 2 protocols to prevent unauthorized access to the network. Physical access to the local
network can be secured or secure, higher layer protocols can be used, among other things.
Certificates and keys
• There is a preset SSL/TLS (RSA) certificate with 4096 bit key length in the device. Replace this
certificate with a user-generated, high-quality certificate with key. Use a certificate signed by
a reliable external or internal certification authority. You can install the certificate via the
WBM ("System > Load and Save").
• Use certificates with a key length of 4096 bits.
• Use the certification authority including key revocation and management to sign the
certificates.
• Make sure that user-defined private keys are protected and inaccessible to unauthorized
persons.
• If there is a suspected security violation, change all certificates and keys immediately.
• Use password-protected certificates in the format "PKCS #12".
16
Operating Instructions, 10/2022, C79000-G8976-C584-01
SCALANCE XC-300

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Table of Contents