Remote and agile improvement of industrial control and safety systems processes

Abstract

Digitalization and remote operations introduce new possibilities for continuous and agile improvements of products in operation by exploiting inherent possibilities in software which is easily changeable and deployable. This approach is driven by data analysis, customer expectations and the possibility of frequent deployment over the air of improved software. Adding functionality into software, combined with connectivity to products, opens possibilities for manufacturers and operators, enabling new features and new operational models. This has also become relevant for regulated environments like industrial control and safety systems used in critical infrastructures. Adapted agile processes like SafeScrum and DevOps may be used to achieve continuous improvement. They enable speed and a continuum between development, maintenance and operation. For instance, experience and data from operation on new cybersecurity threats, must be fed back to the maintenance process to be resolved fast. Hence, the DevOps concept, which is imperative in non-safety domains, is now highly relevant in regulated environments as well. The speed of this process is vital where in particular cybersecurity threats must be resolved fast to avoid safety threats. The Agile Safety Case is an enabler of ensuring structured proof of compliance of safety performance for the involved stakeholders. This paper proposes a solution for a safety case which may be applied for continuous product improvements during operation considering safety as well as security. The solution involves the relevant stakeholders and results in a shift in responsibilities.