A Hidden Epidemic: The Unreported Incidents
The Right Choice for Critical Applications
For sectors where failure is not an option, nuclear, petrochemical, water treatment, energy, the need for robust, non-hackable, and safety-certified instrumentation is paramount. Amelec’s analogue instruments remain a top choice for engineers and safety managers who prioritise dependability over digital dazzle.
In today’s connected world, where even your kettle can be hacked, analogue simplicity may be the most secure decision you can make.
As the process control and automation industry increasingly embraces “smart” microprocessor-based technologies, a critical discussion has re-emerged, how secure are these systems in the face of growing cyber threats?
At Amelec Instruments, we’ve spent over five decades specialising in analogue-based signal conditioning and process control instrumentation. Our product range, including signal converters, signal splitters, signal linearisers, trip amplifiers, and non-intrusive power transducers, has stood the test of time across power stations, wastewater treatment plants, and safety-critical environments. Unlike modern digital devices, analogue designs are inherently immune to software hacking and malware intrusions, making them ideally suited for up to SIL 3-rated safety system loop applications using 1oo1 architecture (HFT:0).
The Cybersecurity Gap in “Smart” Instrumentation
While smart transmitters and PLC-based systems offer impressive functionality, they also introduce attack surfaces never seen before in analogue systems. The inclusion of firmware, wireless interfaces, and cloud connectivity makes these devices potential entry points for cyber attackers.
Consider the following real-world incidents:
- Stuxnet (2010): A notorious worm that targeted industrial PLCs, it infiltrated Iran\’s nuclear facilities by manipulating Siemens Step 7 software—demonstrating how even isolated systems can be breached through digital vectors.
- Triton/Trisis Malware (2017): Specifically designed to disable Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), this attack targeted a Schneider Electric Triconex safety controller, attempting to compromise safety-critical operations in a petrochemical plant. It was only caught due to a system crash—not any cybersecurity measure.
- Oldsmar Water Treatment Facility Hack (2021): In the U.S., hackers accessed a water treatment control system remotely and attempted to increase sodium hydroxide levels to dangerous concentrations—a breach that exploited remote desktop software connected to SCADA systems.
These incidents illustrate that cyber risks are real and growing, particularly for systems that depend on programmable logic and connectivity.
Analogue: A Timeless Defence Against Digital Threats
Amelec’s analogue solutions offer unparalleled peace of mind. With no software, no firmware, no remote access points, and designs that are deliberately kept simple and direct, our products are effectively unhackable by design.
We proudly back our range with:
– Over 50 years of proven field service history
– Reliability and stability across harsh industrial environments
– Products covered by up to 10-year warranties
– Compatibility with up to SIL 3-rated safety systems under 1oo1 configuration
– Designs that are independent of firmware patches or security updates
What’s more concerning is that many cyber incidents never make the headlines. Organisations often choose not to report attacks out of fear of reputational damage, brand erosion, regulatory scrutiny, or financial loss. This creates a false sense of security in the industry and obscures the true scale of the threat.
With this in mind, it becomes even more critical to consider design architectures that are inherently immune to cyber risks. Amelec’s analogue-based solutions provide a level of operational assurance that no patch, firewall, or antivirus can replicate.
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