~ New reference architecture Standard developed to ensure the security, interoperability and scalability of process control systems ~
San Francisco, California – February 5th, 2019: Today at the ARC Industry Forum event in Florida, The Open Group, the vendor-neutral technology consortium, has announced the launch of its new O-PAS™ Standard, Version 1.0, a preliminary standard of The Open Group. Developed by The Open Group Open Process Automation™ Forum (OPAF), the standard will provide a vendor-neutral reference architecture to enable the construction of scalable, reliable, interoperable and secure process automation systems.
The O-PAS Standard, Version 1.0, is focused on meeting the minimum standard and specification requirements for federated process automation systems, using an open and interoperable reference architecture. A key tenet of the Standard is to adopt ‘fit-for-purpose’ industry standards that exist in the marketplace today. As a result, the Standard will incorporate a variety of functional elements that are already provided by multiple vendors, including:
- Security: ANSI/ISA 62443 (adopted by IEC as IEC 62443)
- Connectivity: OPC UA
- Systems Management: DMTF Redfish
“The publication of the O-PAS Standard, Version 1.0, represents a significant achievement by The Open Group Open Process Automation Forum in a very short space of time,” said Steve Nunn, CEO, The Open Group. End-user demand for standards enabling interoperability is increasing due to the business need to reduce capital costs for process control, along with making scalability and cybersecurity capabilities an inherent part of these systems. This new Standard will address both business and technical challenges in process automation and will resonate with many different vertical industries. My congratulations to the members of the Forum for all their hard work and commitment to success in this initiative.”
Ed Harrington, Forum Director, The Open Group Open Process Automation Forum, said, “The launch of the first OPAF Standard demonstrates the growing need for practical guidance in the development of process control systems. Since the launch of the Forum, we have seen more than 80 member organizations become directly involved with the development of this new Reference Architecture. The resulting O-PAS Standard will be a ‘standard of standards’ to bring greater unity and consistency in how process automation is achieved.”
The O-PAS Standard, Version 1.0, is being published as a Preliminary Standard since it addresses an area of emerging technology. Therefore, it may incorporate some changes before being published as a full Standard of The Open Group.
-ENDS-
About The Open Group Open Process Automation™ Forum
The Open Process Automation Forum is an international forum of end-users, system integrators, suppliers, academia, and other standards organizations working together to develop a standards-based, open, secure, and interoperable process control architecture. Open Process Automation is a trademark of The Open Group.
About The Open Group
The Open Group is a global consortium that enables the achievement of business objectives through technology standards. Our diverse membership of more than 625 organizations includes customers, systems and solutions suppliers, tool vendors, integrators, academics, and consultants across multiple industries. Further information on The Open Group can be found at www.opengroup.org.
Notes to Editor:
Below is a comprehensive list of the technical components that make up the O-PAS™ Standard, Version 1.0:
O-PAS Part 1 – Technical Architecture Overview
- An architectural overview of the current release and how it fits with the overall targeted Standard
- This part provides an overall perspective of the vision to be attained by the Standard
O-PAS Part 2 – Security
- The market has identified the need for Security to be built in to any new architectural approach to process control systems
- This part, utilizing ANSI/ISA 62443 (adopted by IEC as IEC 62443), forms the basis for compliance with the security requirements of the Open Process Automation™ Ecosystem
- It provides direction and consistency, from a security perspective, for the development of the other parts, particularly 4 and 5
O-PAS Part 3 – Profiles
- This part specifies the primary profiles for O-PAS conformant components and how they contribute, with this Version 1.0, to the interoperability required for component connectivity and systems management
O-PAS Part 4 – Connectivity Framework (OCF)
- This part specifies the interfaces necessary to achieve base connectivity for both client-server and publish-subscribe environments
O-PAS Part 5 – System Management
- System management of a process automation system covers a number of different management functions including managing hardware, operating systems and platform software, applications, and networks
- The scope of part 5 of the O-PAS Standard, Version 1.0, addresses hardware management only. Future versions will address the other system management functions
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