Siemens SIMATIC NET SCALANCE WxM763, Operating Instructions Manual

Page: 12 / 80

Security recommendations
SCALANCE WxM763
12
Operating Instructions, 03/2022, C79000-G8976-C653-01
• Replace the default passwords for all user accounts, access modes and applications
(if applicable) before you use the device.
• Define rules for the assignment of passwords.
• Use passwords with a high password strength. Avoid weak passwords, (e.g.
password1, 123456789, abcdefgh) or recurring characters (e.g. abcabc).
This recommendation also applies to symmetrical passwords/keys configured on the
device.
• Make sure that passwords are protected and only disclosed to authorized personnel.
• Do not use the same passwords for multiple user names and systems.
• Store the passwords in a safe location (not online) to have them available if they are
lost.
• Regularly change your passwords to increase security.
• A password must be changed if it is known or suspected to be known by unauthorized
persons.
• When user authentication is performed via RADIUS, make sure that all
communication takes place within the security environment or is protected by a
secure channel.
• Watch out for link layer protocols that do not offer their own authentication between
endpoints, such as ARP or IPv4. An attacker could use vulnerabilities in these
protocols to attack hosts, switches and routers connected to your layer 2 network, for
example, through manipulation (poisoning) of the ARP caches of systems in the
subnet and subsequent interception of the data traffic. Appropriate security measures
must be taken for non-secure layer 2 protocols to prevent unauthorized access to the
network. Physical access to the local network can be secured or secure, higher layer
protocols can be used, among other things.
Certificates and keys
• There is a preset SSL/TLS (RSA) certificate with 4096 bit key length in the device.
Replace this certificate with a user-generated, high-quality certificate with key. Use a
certificate signed by a reliable external or internal certification authority. You can
install the certificate via the WBM ("System > Load and Save").
• Use certificates with a key length of 4096 bits.
• Use the certification authority including key revocation and management to sign the
certificates.
• Make sure that user-defined private keys are protected and inaccessible to
unauthorized persons.
• If there is a suspected security violation, change all certificates and keys immediately.
• Use password-protected certificates in the format "PKCS #12".