PRESS RELEASE
KENNESAW, GA, January 11, 2021 — As part of its ongoing commitment to customer security, Automated Logic is implementing ASHRAE’s latest BACnet Secure Connect (BACnet/SC) protocol in its product line. BACnet/SC secures building automation and control networks from possible threats using standards widely accepted by the IT community. Automated Logic’s first BACnet/SC compatible products are being tested on select customer sites now. Automated Logic , a leading provider of innovative building-management solutions, is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.
“The increased popularity of cloud-based applications has led building owners, managers, and IT professionals to seek new solutions for securing their building automation infrastructures,” said Mead Rusert, President, Automated Logic. “By implementing BACnet/SC in our products, customers can have peace of mind that the data from their WebCTRL building automation system will be transferred safely and securely over the internet.”
The BACnet/SC addendum was created to help eliminate many of the concerns that owners, facility managers, and IT professionals have with the original BACnet protocol, including the removal of network broadcasts, BACnet Broadcast Management Devices (BBMDs), and static IP addresses. In addition, new mechanisms have been added to conform with IT best practices for security. The new secure data communications protocol uses the internet protocol and IT standards for security (TLS 1.3) and communicates securely across firewalls and the public internet. It requires that devices be authenticated and authorized to use a site’s BACnet network and encrypts communications between those devices.
In 2018 and 2019, Automated Logic participated in the BACnet PlugFest Interoperability Event hosted by BACnet International to test early implementations of the developing BACnet/SC communication protocol with other BACnet vendors. In November 2019, ASHRAE published the BACnet/SC addendum. Automated Logic then joined BACnet International’s BACnet Secure Connect Interoperability Acceleration Program to speed implementation of the latest standard into their products and solutions.
In addition to implementing BACnet/SC in their products, Automated Logic also remains committed to backwards compatibility. As their new BACnet/SC solutions are released over time, they will work with existing WebCTRL® installations, so customers can keep their current systems intact. There is no need to discard equipment, and they won’t lose any of their existing BACnet capability. They will simply elevate to a higher level of security.
For more information on Automated Logic’s ongoing commitment to BACnet/SC, please join the conversation on LinkedIn.