March 6, 2024 at 10:39AM
Cisco introduced an open source tool to enhance visibility into backplane traffic in industrial settings, resolving issues with monitoring and security. The tool, named Badgerboard, focuses on Schneider Electric’s Modicon M580 PLCs and X80 backplane. Cisco aims to encourage customers to demand more comprehensive monitoring solutions and urges PLC vendors to create similar products.
From the meeting notes, it is clear that Cisco has unveiled an open source proof-of-concept tool called “Badgerboard,” which aims to improve visibility into backplane traffic in industrial organizations. The problem highlighted is that OT security teams often struggle to monitor all the traffic crossing the backplane, preventing them from gaining full visibility into their network.
Further, Cisco emphasized the need for more advanced and complete monitoring solutions from vendors. The company believes that security vendors cannot solve this problem alone and that consumer demand needs to drive the conversation. Additionally, the tool focuses on Schneider Electric’s Modicon M580 PLCs and X80 backplane, and it is intended to showcase the feasibility of expanding backplane traffic visibility rather than being a fully engineered solution. Cisco hopes that this project will prompt customers to demand more comprehensive monitoring solutions from their vendors and push PLC vendors to create products that accomplish what Badgerboard aims to do.
It’s noteworthy that the impact to customer warranties introduced by plugging in a third-party module should not be ignored if monitoring of this type is to become a viable option. Cisco also pointed out that PLC vendors have the capability and product expertise to create such products, but they need to be pushed by their customers.
Overall, the meeting notes indicate the release of an open source tool by Cisco to address the challenge of monitoring backplane traffic in industrial environments, while also calling for increased demand from customers to drive improvements in this field.