Sara Bitan-Erlich

Title: Sara Bitan-Erlich: Innovator in Industrial Control Systems Security

Introduction

Sara Bitan-Erlich is a prominent inventor based in Moshav Hadar-Am, Israel. She has made significant contributions to the field of industrial control systems, particularly in enhancing security protocols. With a total of three patents to her name, her work addresses critical challenges in securing industrial environments.

Latest Patents

One of her latest patents is a protected protocol for industrial control systems designed for large organizations. This innovation tackles the lack of an appropriate security model that is both implementable by vendors and addresses the inherent security and usability issues required by organizations. Current solutions, such as device passwords and IPSec, often fall short due to their lack of scalable key management infrastructure and fine granularity access control mechanisms. The disclosed security model supports organizational-level authorizations and authentication requirements while concealing low-level details from users. It allows for the easy addition and removal of PLCs, engineering stations, HMI devices, and users, along with the assignment of permissions. A major advantage of this model is its support for hybrid ICS systems, which can accommodate both legacy and new devices using the same protocol.

Another notable patent involves a system for authenticating messages transmitted on a bus based on the physical location of transmitting units. This system includes a reflector that injects reflection signals in response to messages from bus-connected units. A probe intercepts these messages and reflection signals, calculating propagation timing to determine the validity of the messages. This innovative approach enhances the security of communication within industrial control systems.

Career Highlights

Sara has worked with esteemed organizations such as the Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited and Flash Networks, Ltd. Her experience in these companies has contributed to her expertise in developing advanced security solutions for industrial applications.

Collaborations

Throughout her career, Sara has collaborated with notable individuals in the field, including Eli Biham and Yair Karmi. These collaborations have further enriched her work and contributed to her innovative patents.

Conclusion

Sara Bitan-Erlich is a trailblazer in the realm of industrial control systems security. Her patents reflect her commitment to enhancing the safety and usability of industrial environments. Her contributions are vital for organizations seeking to secure their operational technologies effectively.