<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/?sAtom=1" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" />
    <author>
        <name>Helmholz</name>
    </author>
    <title>Blog/Atom feed</title>
    <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/?sRss=1</id>
    <updated>2026-03-06T18:18:53+01:00</updated>
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Whitepaper: Industrial Security - Your Compact Guide to the New EU Requirements</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/whitepaper-industrial-security-your-compact-guide-to-the-new-eu-requirements</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/whitepaper-industrial-security-your-compact-guide-to-the-new-eu-requirements"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            Discover what CRA, the Machinery Regulation, NIS-2 &amp; RED mean for your industrial communication - and how to prepare effectively.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  New EU regulations are significantly raising the requirements for cybersecurity in industrial environments. With the Cyber Resilience Act, the Machinery Regulation and NIS-2, the way industrial products are developed, networked and secured is undergoing a major shift. In our whitepaper, you’ll get a clear and accessible overview of the most important regulations - and learn how to implement them successfully in practice.  
 Industrial communication is at a turning point: New legal requirements such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) oblige manufacturers to integrate security strategically right from the development phase. You will need to ensure security throughout the entire product lifecycle - including regular updates and a defined vulnerability management process. 
 Machine builders and plant operators will also take on new responsibilities. The Machinery Regulation (EU 2023/1230) expands traditional safety requirements with concrete cybersecurity measures, requiring you to protect machines and networks against digital attacks. With NIS-2, additional obligations come into play, such as establishing an information security management system based on ISO 27001 or BSI IT-Grundschutz. 
 In our whitepaper, you will also learn how the IEC 62443 standards can support you - from secure development processes (IEC 62443-4-1) and technical product requirements (IEC 62443-4-2) to risk-based measures for operation. We show you how to treat security as a continuous process and integrate it into your workflows. 
 You will also gain insights into how Helmholz is preparing for the new requirements: 
 
 We are aligning our development processes with IEC 62443-4-1. 
 We apply security-by-design across all relevant product lines. 
 Our dedicated PSIRT team continuously monitors and evaluates new risks. 
 We collaborate closely with CERT@VDE, BSI, TeleTrusT and other partners. 
 We are preparing our entire portfolio of communication-capable products for CRA compliance. 
 
 This gives you a clear and practical overview of what will be required in the future - and how you can successfully implement Industrial Security step by step.  If you want to ensure your products and systems are ready for the upcoming regulatory changes, our whitepaper provides exactly the guidance you need.  
  Download Whitepaper  
 &amp;nbsp; 
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2025-12-05T09:00:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Security note / firmware update for REX 100</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/security-note/firmware-update-for-rex-100</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/security-note/firmware-update-for-rex-100"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            We hereby inform you that a new firmware (V2.3.5) is available for the REX100 product series.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                 Dear Helmholz customer, 
 We would like to inform you that a new firmware version for the REX 100 product series is available on the myREX24 portal server. A critical security vulnerability has been closed in this FW version (V2.3.5). We strongly recommend that you update your REX 100 router in the field as soon as possible. 
 A related advisory on the  identified vulnerability (VDE-2025-059)  was published recently on  CERT@VDE &amp;nbsp; 
 All routers that are logged on in our portal server can be  easily updated remotely: &amp;nbsp; link . 
 Of course, it is also  possible to perform an update directly on the device using a USB stick  and&amp;nbsp; the Firmware file that can be downloaded here  Description of the update via USB stick on  page 25 :&amp;nbsp; Quickstart Guide . 
 If you have any questions about the firmware update or the security vulnerability, please feel free to contact Helmholz Support ( support@helmholz.de ) or&amp;nbsp; Helmholz PSIRT . 
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2025-09-10T08:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text"> Industrial NAT Gateway and Firewall WALL IE from Helmholz Celebrates Anniver...</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/industrial-nat-gateway-and-firewall-wall-ie-from-helmholz-celebrates-anniversary</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/industrial-nat-gateway-and-firewall-wall-ie-from-helmholz-celebrates-anniversary"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            Ten years of Secure OT for cyber-secure machines.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  Cyber-secure machine networks will become mandatory for anyone putting machinery on the market&amp;nbsp;with the current provisions of the EU Machinery Regulation and IEC 62443. Helmholz already recognized&amp;nbsp;this challenge much earlier and developed a both effective and easily configurable solution for networked&amp;nbsp;machines and production systems: the first Security Gateway – Industrial NAT Gateway/Firewall WALL IE&amp;nbsp;came onto the market exactly ten years ago.  
 With the triumphal march of Ethernet&amp;nbsp;networking in machinery and production&amp;nbsp;systems, cybersecurity must also play an&amp;nbsp;entirely central role there. This necessity&amp;nbsp;is reflected accordingly in the current&amp;nbsp;norm and guideline situation: the&amp;nbsp;international norm series IEC 62443,&amp;nbsp;for example, most recently revised in&amp;nbsp;2023, deals with the cybersecurity of&amp;nbsp;“Industrial Automation and Control&amp;nbsp;Systems” (IACS), thereby pursuing&amp;nbsp;a holistic approach for operators,&amp;nbsp;integrators, and manufacturers. The&amp;nbsp;European Union has also acknowledged&amp;nbsp;the seriousness of the situation and is&amp;nbsp;reacting, for example, with the NIS-2 Directive (Network and Information&amp;nbsp;Security Directive, in force since 2023)&amp;nbsp;and the new EU Machinery Regulation&amp;nbsp;2023/1230. The latter will apply for the&amp;nbsp;putting onto the market of machinery as&amp;nbsp;of January 20, 2027. 
 &amp;nbsp;  
 &amp;nbsp; 
   Integrating machinery networks securely &amp;nbsp;  
 Not only these current specifications show: the theme of machine security affects everyone in the meantime. In the process, the central task is to securely integrate machine networks into the higher level production network. The keyword here is “Secure OT”, meaning secure operative technology consisting of software and hardware for the control, securing, and monitoring of industrial control systems, devices, and processes. 
 In the face of growing amounts of data communication, there is no way around the separation or segmentation of networks against this background. Concepts with confidence zones and secure zone transitions (Zones &amp;amp; Conduits) have proven especially effective here. IEC 62443 therefore also prescribes a corresponding protection concept: in keeping with this, it is often inappropriate for large or complex systems to utilize the same protection needs for all components, as these demonstrate different threats and risks. Differences can be represented through the concept of the “security zone”. 
  Robust and affordable securing with WALL IE  
 At this point, the question arises of how such a zones &amp;amp; conduits protection concept can be implemented in concrete terms for networked machinery. The market offers numerous high-end solutions for this, which are, however, most often too large for securing a single machine. This generally also means: excessively complex, not to mention unnecessarily expensive. Especially the medium-sized mechanical engineering segment and its customers are therefore searching for more practicable solutions, which should be not only secure and reliable, but also be realizable in a streamlined, efficient, and simple manner without further external support. 
 Since 2015, such a solution is the Industrial Security Gateway WALL IE from Helmholz: installed once and permanently between the machine and the production network, the robust and especially compact Ethernet components connect bridge and firewall functions in the scope actually required. 
 In concrete terms, the components protect the networks in that they precisely regulate which participants may exchange data with which device. The prerequisite for this is created by a packet filter functionality: this enables the limitation of access between the production network and the automation cell. With the WALL IE, IP addresses, ports, MAC addresses, and the telegram type can then be filtered in both directions. 
 &amp;nbsp; 
 &amp;nbsp; 
   
   The Helmholz portfolio for security gateways in the types: plus, standard, compact. Also for gigabit Ethernet networks depending upon the variant.   
 At the same time, the WALL IE also allows adjustment of the existing IP addresses of the machine to the IP addresses in the factory network through NAT (Network Address Translation). Each device in the machine that is meant to be outwardly visible is thereby assigned an IP address in the address space of the factory. Devices in the machine that should not communicate with the outside world are simply excepted in the process. The use of NAT also makes it possible to incorporate several automation cells of the same kind with the same address range into the production network without having to reconfigure the machines. 
 In the event that there are not enough IP addresses available in the factory network, the WALL IE can also be incorporated into the production network with a single IP address. Access to the devices in the machine then takes place via port forwarding. Filtering and protection always function in both directions. A factory network can thus also be protected from compromising devices in the machine in this way. 
 As another special feature, WALL IE can also be used in both the NAT operating mode and as a bridge. In the bridge mode, the network participants of the machine already have IP addresses in the same range as the factory network. All filter functions are active. Only NAT is switched off here. 
   Even more possibilities in the anniversary year   
 Since the market introduction of the Industrial Security Gateway WALL IE precisely ten years ago, this has in the meantime proven itself in more than 15,000 applications. For the most part based on concrete customer inquiries, the functional scope has been growing constantly, also in this anniversary year: among the latest innovations is the implementation of 802.1X for authentication. With this new function, the end customer can ensure in the factory network that no unauthorized devices are active in the network. 
 In addition, functions like expanded logging and improved user management have been implemented. Further features like ping and Traceroute will be integrated into the web interface in future. In addition to this, Helmholz is permanently adapting the firmware of the WALL IE to the specific requirements of IEC 62443-4-2. The configuration of the WALL IE can be downloaded, secured, and edited as needed at any time. 
 With these expansions too, Helmholz stays true to the goal that basic network knowledge should be adequate for the commissioning of the WALL IE. Thus, for example, no adjustment of the network configuration in the LAN network is necessary. Series machines can also be easily integrated into a large factory network with identical IP addresses. 
  Summary  
 For ten years now, the easy-to-configure Industrial Security Gateway, NAT Gateways, or machinery firewalls of the WALL IE series from Helmholz have been protecting sensitive data and critical systems from cyber-threats without a great deal of effort. And the future has already started: certification pursuant to IEC 62443 by the testing company TÜV Süd will be completed at the beginning of 2026. 
  Download Press Release  
 &amp;nbsp; 
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2025-09-08T09:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Helmholz - product specialist for automation projects - enriches the product ...</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/helmholz-product-specialist-for-automation-projects-enriches-the-product-range-of-rs-components-gmbh</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/helmholz-product-specialist-for-automation-projects-enriches-the-product-range-of-rs-components-gmbh"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            RS, a global provider of product and service solutions for industrial customers, has expanded its line card. The focus is on switches, gateways and secure communication.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  Helmholz products now enrich the RS product range; the picture shows Helmholz Managing Directors Karsten Eichmüller (left) and Carsten Bokholt.&amp;nbsp; © Helmholz GmbH &amp;amp; Co. KG   
 With Helmholz, a product specialist for automation projects has been added to the distributor&#039;s product range. With the manufacturer&#039;s latest, clever system solutions, the high demands placed on industrial networks in times of increasing automation can be met both reliably and efficiently. Following the very good development of sales via its own sales channels, Helmholz now wants to take advantage of the additional opportunities that RS can offer as a distributor, not least online. 
 RS offers Helmholz unique access to a wide range of target groups in the fields of development, automation and maintenance. As a specialist for small and medium-sized quantities, the distributor has particular expertise in regularly addressing customers and their specific needs as well as in logistical efficiency. This is complemented by solutions for process cost optimization, for example, which are specially tailored to this segment. 
 Helmholz is an expert in PROFINET and industrial networks. The broad product spectrum ranges from a decentralized I/O system to switches and repeaters, gateways, a NAT gateway/firewall and secure IoT remote machine access. Helmholz&#039;s aim is to offer the perfect solution for every automation task with market-driven products. 
 The products added to the RS range focus on switches, gateways and secure communication. The certified FLEXtra PROFINET switches from Helmholz provide RS customers with powerful components for an attractive network infrastructure. They impress with their compact and robust design as well as integrated transmission security by means of ring redundancy as an MRP client. The UL approval not only confirms the high level of quality, but also fulfills an essential requirement for export-oriented users. The Helmholz managed FLEXtra PROFINET switches fully exploit the possibilities of PROFINET networks. One of the most important functions of a managed FLEXtra PROFINET switch is the prioritization of PROFINET telegram traffic in the machine network. The switch can distinguish whether the telegram is a web request, an FTP file transfer, a media stream or a PROFINET telegram. In the event of a high transmission load, the important telegrams can therefore be prioritized. 
 PROFINET is also at the center of the gateway portfolio. The HELMHOLZ PROFINET gateways can currently be used to connect Profinet networks with Modbus TCP; EtherNet IP; CANopen; PROFIBUS; as well as other Profinet networks. The engineering tool that the user is already using is sufficient for parameterization, configuration and operation. The latest addition to the gateway family is the PN/Modbus-TCP coupler for connecting Modbus-TCP components to PROFINET networks. More and more Profibus networks are being migrated to Profinet. This also increases the need to connect separate Profinet networks with each other. The PN/PN Coupler or DP/PN Coupler takes on this task by enabling data transmission between two PLC controllers at IO level. This uncomplicated connection eliminates the need for complex CPU-to-CPU communication. Linking individual machines to form a production line is therefore possible with minimal effort - even if the individual machines from different manufacturers are already in the production hall. 
 The PN/CAN gateway connects CAN devices to Profinet. A total of five types are available for the various CAN protocols. On the Profinet network, the PN/CAN gateway is a Profinet I/O device and supports transmission rates of up to 100 Mbit full duplex; up to 1 Mbit/s is supported on the CAN bus. The PN/CAN gateway CANopen is a fully-fledged CANopen master. As a master, the gateway supports network management, SYNC telegrams, node guarding/heartbeat for monitoring the participants and LSS services. This makes it the ideal solution for connecting drives with CAN bus interfaces to PLC controllers with Profinet, for example. 
 The Wall IE product range provides network protection. It securely protects automation networks against unauthorized access. Thanks to the individual configuration, the firewall can be easily adapted to the requirements of the respective machine network. It can be used to form “conduits”, which are increasingly required in accordance with IEC62443. As a plus point, the NAT functionality allows IP addresses of machines to be standardized, as this avoids IP address collisions. The result is structured, “micro-segmented” networks with small broadcast domains. Security and network performance with just a few clicks for the DIN rail. 
 “Innovative strength, teamwork and a high level of quality awareness characterize our company. With these values, we feel we are in good hands with RS. A sales partner that enables the implementation of new technical solutions from the concept idea to production and that names reliable service as the core of its brand is a very good fit for us. We are looking forward to the upcoming cooperation,” says Karsten Eichmüller, Managing Director of Helmholz GmbH &amp;amp; Co. KG. 
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2025-03-06T09:00:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Streamlined, compact, and simple solutions for cyber-secure machinery</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/streamlined-compact-and-simple-solutions-for-cyber-secure-machinery</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/streamlined-compact-and-simple-solutions-for-cyber-secure-machinery"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            Secure OT with Industrial NAT Gateway and firewall WALL IE from Helmholz.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  No new machine can still do without its own machine network. Already just as self-explanatory today is the securing of this network against unwanted external access. At the latest with new specifications such as IEC 62443 and the European Machinery Regulation, corresponding cybersecurity measures will now be obligatory for all those who bring machinery into circulation. More than ever before, practicable solutions for cyber-secure machinery are thus called for – like the Industrial NAT Gateway WALL IE from Helmholz.  
 With the triumphal march of Ethernet networking in machinery and production systems, cybersecurity must also play an entirely central role there. This necessity is reflected accordingly in the current norm and guideline situation: the international norm series IEC 62443, for example, most recently revised in 2023, deals with the cybersecurity of “Industrial Automation and Control Systems” (IACS), thereby pursuing a holistic approach for operators, integrators, and manufacturers. It thus impacts all those involved in the manufacture and operation of machinery and defines appropriate responsibilities for mechanical engineers, suppliers, and end customers. The European Union has also acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and is reacting, for example, with the NIS-2&amp;nbsp;Directive (Network and Information Security Directive, in force since 2023) and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). The European Commission has also revised the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The Directive has also been adapted to the New Legislative Framework (NLF) in the process. In addition, new technological developments like artificial intelligence, autonomy, and networking have also been considered in the adjustment of the fundamental safety and health protection requirements of the Directive. The corresponding new European Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 will be applied as of January 20, 2027 for the putting into circulation of machinery. 
  Integrating machinery networks securely  Not only these current specifications show: the theme of machine security affects everyone in the meantime. In the process, the central task is to securely integrate machine networks into the higher level production network. 
   
 The keyword here is “Secure OT”, meaning secure operative technology consisting of software and hardware for the control, securing, and monitoring of industrial control systems, devices, and processes. In the face of growing amounts of data, there is no way around the separation or segmentation of networks against this background. Concepts with zones and secure zone transitions (Zones &amp;amp; Conduits) have proven especially effective here. IEC 62443 therefore also prescribes a corresponding protection concept: in keeping with this, it is often inappropriate for large or complex systems to utilize the same protection needs for all components, as these demonstrate different threats and risks. Differences can be represented through the concept of the “security zone”. A security zone is a logical grouping of relevant physical objects that have the same protection needs. The boundary of the security zone defines which components lie within and which outside of the zone. In order to assure the required information flow into and out of a security zone, so-called communication conduits are defined. Communication outside of conduits is thereby not permitted. 
  Robust and cost-efficient securing with WALL IE  At this point, the question arises of how such a zones &amp;amp; conduits protection concept can be implemented in concrete terms for networked machinery. The market offers numerous high-end solutions for this, which are, however, most often too large for securing a single machine network. This generally also means: excessively complex, not to mention unnecessarily expensive. Especially the medium-sized mechanical engineering segment and its customers are therefore searching for more practicable solutions, which should be not only secure and reliable, but also be realizable in a streamlined, efficient, and simple manner. Such a solution is the NAT Gateway WALL IE from Helmholz: installed once and permanently between the machine and the production network, the robust and especially compact Ethernet components connect bridge and firewall functions in the scope actually required. 
 In concrete terms, the components protect the networks in that they precisely regulate which participants may exchange data with which device. The prerequisite for this is created by a packet filter functionality: this enables the limitation of access between the production network and the automation cell. Contributing to the simplicity and security of the solution is the fact that the WALL IE, together with the machine network behind it in the production network, can only be displayed as a single IP address.&amp;nbsp;As another special feature, WALL IE can be used in both the NAT operating mode and as a bridge. In the bridge operating mode, it acts as a switch. In contrast with normal switches, however, packet filtering is also possible in this operating mode. This means that the restriction of access to individual areas of your network can be achieved without having to use different networks for this purpose. 
 In the NAT operating mode, which is used by most users, the WALL IE forwards the data traffic between various IPv4 networks (Layer 3) and uses packet filters for limiting access to the automation network behind it. In the process, address translation by way of Network Address Translation (NAT) is supported. The use of NAT also makes it possible to incorporate several automation cells of the same kind with the same address range into the production network. WALL IE supports two NAT functionalities in the NAT operating mode: basic NAT (also referred to as “1:1 NAT” or “Static NAT”) and NAPT (Network Address and Port Translation, also referred to as “1:N NAT” or “Masquerading”). 
  Even more possibilities through new variants  This has been proven thousands of times since the market launch of WALL IE in 2015. The functional scope has grown constantly since then, mostly as a reaction to concrete customer inquiries. Since 2024, two new variants now complement the previous “standard” version (with four ports and a transmission rate of 100 Mbps). Both are equipped with a faster processor with Ethernet up to 1 Gbit/s, thus opening up new application areas. The new “Compact” version is thereby limited to two ports - one for the company network (WAN), one for the machine network (LAN). The “Plus” version on the other hand offers eight ports.&amp;nbsp;The ports can be used freely configurable as switches for LAN or WAN. The advantage: smaller networks can thus be realized without additional switches or with a single device. 
 All three WALL IE variants have in common that only basic network knowledge is required for commissioning. Thus, for example, no adjustment of the network configuration in the LAN network is necessary. Series machines can also be easily integrated with identical IP addresses. 
  Summary  In the networked industry of the future, the security of machines and systems will be decisive for a stable and malfunction-free process. Processes can be easily optimized through network segmentation and secure access to the machine network. The easily configurable NAT Gateways or machine firewalls of the WALL IE series from Helmholz offer customized protection of sensitive data and protect critical systems from cyber threats with little effort. 
  To the detailed press release   
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2024-11-25T09:00:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">myREX24 V2 - Security-Update! Auto-Update for the Portal &amp; REX-Router</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/myrex24-v2-security-update-auto-update-for-the-portal-rex-router</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/myrex24-v2-security-update-auto-update-for-the-portal-rex-router"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            Potential vulnerabilities were discovered in the synchronization service (CTM for short), which transfers the router configuration from the myREX24 V2 portal to the routers. The service was remodeled and implemented on the portal and the REX routers.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  We take potential vulnerabilities very seriously and are extending the improvements across our entire product portfolio, which requires updating devices and the portal solutions, but also leads to restrictions on old devices.  
  TIMELINE  The CTM update is available as new firmware for compatible products. 
  From the 23.09.2024:  On this date, the patch will be rolled out worldwide on all Public V2 portals.&amp;nbsp;  All compatible devices are then automatically updated with the CTM update firmware via the portal.  &amp;nbsp;You as a customer don&#039;t have to do anything; all compatible devices newly connected after the portal update will be taken into account. The device update process is started at a different time so that the automatic update of your devices could only be carried out at a later point in time after the portal update. 
 
 Portale/Server/.virtual Firmware 2.16.3 
 REX200 / 250 ab HW:02 Firmware 8.3.x 
 REX100 ab HW:01 Firmware 2.3.0 
 
  For further details, procedures and FAQs, please refer to the document “CTM update of the myREX24 V2 remote maintenance solution”.   Download document    
    Further information on the security vulnerability can also be found here (CERT@VDE Advisories):      For REX100 &amp;nbsp;and for&amp;nbsp; REX200/250 .  
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2024-09-16T09:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">End-of-life of the myREX24 V1 Portal</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/end-of-life-of-the-myrex24-v1-portal</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/end-of-life-of-the-myrex24-v1-portal"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            The myREX24 V1 server has provided reliable service for many years. In view of the increasing cyber security threats, it is more important than ever to rely on up-to-date cloud platforms that meet the state of the art.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  In view of the increasing cyber security threats, it is more important than ever to rely on up-to-date cloud platforms that meet the state of the art.  
 Due to the upcoming Cyber Resiliance Act, we are no longer able to guarantee the availability and security of the myREX24 V1 portal. The older the software, the more susceptible it is to potential cyber risks. 
 In 2016, we presented the successor portal V2 and successfully launched it on the market. This successor platform offers numerous improvements and meets more modern requirements. We understand that change is often associated with challenges. 
 At the same time, however, we are convinced that switching to more future-proof platforms will bring you numerous benefits in the long term. Leave the old technology behind and benefit from the better, more secure and more powerful solutions we offer. 
  Further information, recommendations for action and FAQs can be found in the official  “End-of-Live Document” .  
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2024-08-22T13:30:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">15 years of FLEXtra – From the PROFIBUS Repeater to industrial Ethernet switc...</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/15-years-of-flextra-from-the-profibus-repeater-to-industrial-ethernet-switches-with-extra-operating-comfort.</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/15-years-of-flextra-from-the-profibus-repeater-to-industrial-ethernet-switches-with-extra-operating-comfort."/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            How can communication be distributed, prioritized, and managed in the simplest way possible? For 15 years now, Helmholz has been providing reliable answers to this question with its FLEXtra switches.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                 Fifteen years ago, a product with the FLEXtra label left the production of the Central Franconian automation specialist Helmholz for the first time. Since then, the technology has in fact shifted in the direction of SPS control systems with network technology like PROFI-NET or ModbusTCP, but the require-ments for switches as the foundation for networks have remained the same, because the data traffic of all machine networks runs through them. 
 A look back 
 It pays to take a brief look back at the communications technology of that time. PROFIBUS was the predominant fieldbus in Europe, and the linear to-pology for participants was broadly available. This sometimes resulted in an unfortunate situation. Longer lengths of cable were necessary, which impaired the signal quality. This usually took place&amp;nbsp;at the cost of PROFIBUS speed, meaning that the machine or system also could not react as quickly as desired.&amp;nbsp; 
 The first PROFIBUS Repeaters were available, but users wanted more func-tionality, flexibility, and extra operating comfort. This included easily accessible interfaces, and it should be possible to shut down the PROFIBUS segments, for example, for maintenance purposes.&amp;nbsp;The FLEXtra product series arose from these requirements. The first product was the FLEXtra PROFIBUS Repeater, which has since carved out a permanent place for itself as a central distributor of machine communication in the control cabinet. This was shortly fol-lowed by additional variants that supported PROFIBUS segments. 
   
 The first PROFIBUS Repeater leaves Helmholz production in 2009.  &amp;nbsp; 
 FLEXtra: a broad portfolio of industrial Ethernet switches&amp;nbsp; 
 Today, 15 years later, Helmholz offers a broad portfolio of industrial Ethernet switches with the FLEXtra family. It encompasses managed and unmanaged switches, solutions for PROFINET, industrial Ethernet and IP67 variants, and fiber optic connections. A total of eight model series thus cover the current technological possibilities and most application scenarios in the automation of machines and systems. What they all&amp;nbsp;have in common is that they offer reliable and flexible communication with extra operating comfort and functionality for machines and systems.&amp;nbsp; 
   
 The innovative FLEXtra product series, with its various STAGE, SLIM, FLAT, and IP67 models, offers reliable communication with state-of-the-art technology.  &amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; 
 Small and flat 
 There is, for example, the small, flat switches for network and PROFINET applications of the FLEXtra FLAT series. This unmanaged Ethernet switch convinces with its light, but nonetheless robust design. It is extremely flat and compact, so that it is also suitable for control cabinets with less depth, as they are found in expansive conveyor belt systems in the field. When even less space is available, the extra-slim FLEXtra SLIM Ethernet switches are suitable for especially narrow control cabinets. The switch is suitable for installation on the DIN rail and can be very easily integrated into the network. Once plugged in, it is immediately ready for operation with the simple plug&amp;amp;play installation. 
 Prioritizing of data flows 
 The use of conventional Ethernet switches in connection with PROFINET networks is technically possible, but should be viewed with caution due to the absence of frame prioritizing and the related data load in many machine networks. In contrast, the FLEXtra STAGE PROFINET switch connects the control system world with PROFINET according to Conformance Class B and the IT world with up to 1 GBit Ethernet. 
 Because, besides at the field bus level with PROFINET, communication also takes place at the higher level with industrial Ethernet, both communication possibilities are available with the FLEXtra STAGE PROFINET switch. Depending upon the application and project, customers can themselves decide which ports should be used for Gigabit Ethernet and... 
  Download Detailed Press Release  
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2024-06-13T08:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Security information on PROFINET applications</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/security-information-on-profinet-applications</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/security-information-on-profinet-applications"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            Precautionary measures when using PROFINET devices — PROFINET Security Advisory PISA-001
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  Background  Under certain circumstances, if an attacker with direct (physical) access to the PROFINET network attacks the devices using the DCP services of the PROFINET protocol, this can lead to a permanent loss of communication capability between the PROFINET controller and the PROFINET device. The reason for this lies in the nature of the DCP service provided by the PROFINET protocol. This DCP service can be used to change or reset device parameters via DCP command. Examples of this are DCP-Set (NameOfStation) or DCP-Set (Reset-to-Factory). No safety functions are provided for the use of DCP in the existing PROFINET specification. 
  Impact   Under certain conditions, an attacker - with direct access to the OT network - can prevent the PROFINET controller from establishing communication with a PROFINET device and thus disrupt the operation of the device. Manual intervention by the user is required.  The device is not destroyed by an attack, it is simply no longer accessible to the CPU. A new assignment of the PROFINET name or IP address can restore device operation. 
  Measures  Helmholz recommends that its customers introduce or review a strict access policy for the network. Access from other zones to the PROFINET network must be restricted, in particular DCP services must be blocked. This can be achieved using a firewall or a suitable VLAN configuration. 
 Newer versions of the PROFINET specification address this problem by introducing PROFINET security in security class 1. Helmholz will successively implement PROFINET security class 1 for all active PROFINET components and make new firmware versions available. 
  Further Information  PROFINET Security Advisory:  Improper Access Control for DCP Services  (PNO Identifier: PISA-001). 
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2024-04-11T08:30:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Helmholz not affected by critical backdoor in XZ library in Linux!</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/helmholz-not-affected-by-critical-backdoor-in-xz-library-in-linux</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/helmholz-not-affected-by-critical-backdoor-in-xz-library-in-linux"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            As part of our security obligations, we immediately checked all our products for this security vulnerability. The good news: Our products and IT are NOT affected!
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  The Helmholz PSIRT team informs:  &quot;Critical backdoor in XZ library in Linux.&quot; 
 All Helmholz products and Helmholz IT are NOT affected by the vulnerability! 
 Links to the BSI information:  https://www.bsi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Cybersicherheitswarnungen/DE/2024/2024-223608-1032.html  
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2024-04-05T08:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Routine update on the myREX24 V1 portal server</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/routine-update-on-the-myrex24-v1-portal-server</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/routine-update-on-the-myrex24-v1-portal-server"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            An update will be carried out along with scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, 19. March 2024 from 18:00 to 20:00 CET (UTC+1).
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                  An update will be carried out along with scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, 19. March 2024 from 18:00 to 20:00 CET (UTC+1).  
 During this period, the vpn2.myREX24.net server will be unavailable! 
 Please forward this information so that your customers can also prepare themselves. Upon conclusion of this routine work, the myREX24 V1 portal will once again be at your disposal as usual. 
 In this context, we would like to point out again that you should always use the very latest firmware versions on your REX products. 
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2024-03-14T02:00:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">myRex24 V2 Portal Firmware Update</title>
            <id>https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/myrex24-v2-portal-firmware-update</id>
            <link href="https://www.helmholz.de/en/service-support/news/technology-news/myrex24-v2-portal-firmware-update"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            A routine update will be taking place on the myREX24 V2 portal server on July the 13th 2023 from 7:00 to 10:00 CEST.
                                        ]]>
            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                 This update will be carried out along with scheduled maintenance on  Thursday, 13. July 2023 from 7:00 to 10:00 CEST (UTC+2) . 
 During this period, the V2.myREX24.net server will be unavailable! Please forward this information so that your customers can also prepare themselves. Upon conclusion of this routine work, the myREX24 V2 portal will once again be at your disposal as usual. 
 In this context, we would like to point out again that you should always use the very latest firmware versions on your REX products. The firmware status is always displayed in your device overview, and it is also possible to carry out an update on your routers which are already in use in the field. 
 Preview about the new features and changes:   https://www.cc-onlinehelp.com/en/#index/releasenotes/newfeaturesa.html   
                ]]>
            </content>

                            <updated>2023-07-03T14:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
</feed>
