Achilles Satellite™ Features & Benefits

The Achilles™ Satellite tests for cyber security threats that impact the performance, confidentiality and integrity of a control device. Achilles tests examine the implementation of common industrial protocols and available proprietary protocols. Custom and third-party test tools can be integrated with the Satellite for testing convenience.

The Satellite is specifically designed to test industrial control equipment. The Satellite bridges the traffic sent between a control device and a vendor control system without impeding the normal flow of traffic; the devices are unaware of the Satellite. Test traffic is sent from the Satellite to the control device only allowing communication to continue between the device and control system, simulating a real-world industrial environment.

The Achilles™ Client embodies the Wurldtech testing method; a tabular format guides you from configuring devices in the test bench, through setting up and executing tests, to viewing testing history information.

The Satellite monitors for key industrial functionality criteria by observing OPC tags and digital outputs. The OPC Monitor observes status and logic data tags to determine whether the device is communicating with the control system, while the Discrete Monitor observes a periodic digital output to determine whether the device’s process control functionality is working.

The Satellite provides results and diagnostic information based on fault characteristics and system failure modes of the device under test. By analyzing the live-data graphs, monitor status icons and test results displayed in the Achilles Client, you can determine how Achilles tests impact different aspects of the device’s functionality.

During inline impairment testing, the Satellite intercepts traffic sent from a vendor control system, impairs it according to user-defined filters, and sends it to the control device to examine how the device handles damaged traffic. Packet capture replay tests enable the impaired traffic to be reproduced.

Grammar-based test cases allow you to define an Achilles grammar that models a protocol's PDU structure and can include systematic variations on elements of the PDU. An Achilles grammar generates packet sequences that intelligently cover the test space, expanding the limits of traditional network testing and uncovering vulnerabilities other tools miss.

Achilles tests can be executed in automatic fault isolation mode to identify packets that cause unusual device behavior. Packet capture capabilities allow you to record these problem packets and accurately reproduce anomalies in order to detect and resolve software issues.

The Achilles Level 1 Certification Program was developed by Wurldtech and its partners to provide a benchmark for deploying secure industrial devices. The program assesses the network robustness of industrial devices and certifies that they pass a comprehensive set of security tests. To prepare a device for Achilles Level 1 Certification, the Satellite includes a preloaded test suite that automatically runs all test cases according to Level 1 requirements. Subsequently, a Certification Analysis Report analyzes the test suite results to predict whether the device would pass certification.

The Satellite’s comprehensive history feature includes packet captures of test traffic, monitor graphs, configuration and test result information. History is automatically saved on the Satellite for future reference and auditing purposes and forms the basis of several types of reports, each geared towards a different target audience.