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For us, security by design has three main components, which are:

1. Authorization; the process of implementing roles based on what users primarily need for their daily operations, nothing more nothing less
2. Network security; secure communications over virtual private networks; and
3. auditing; the ability to track user actions and continuously monitor sessions and/or mutations to comply with the authorization polices

I’m going to tell you about all three more in-depth. 

Authorization is managing the process to make sure people get only access to resources and data which are applicable for them. For us, we use fine authorization policies for several roles like operator activities, operator lead activities and remote support activities. In our line of work, proper authorization is important because we work with a lot of sensitive or confidential data

Next, we have Network Security.

We make use of segmentation in the network infrastructure so we classify different kinds of data and make sure that this data is only available in the proper applications.

To have safe and secure remote connectivity we make use of a VPN connection stands for virtual private network, it serves as a way to securely communicate between two networks. See it as a tunnel which is used to drive cars (network packets) back and forward. All the traffic within this tunnel is encrypted at the entrance (Network A) and decrypted at the exit (Network B). VPNs are important because confidently and integrity is increased when applying e.g. using a third-party network like the internet. All network traffic generated by VISICS which is communicating over a third-party network is ensured by VPN.

And lastly, we have auditing.

Auditing is the process of continuously monitoring mutations, actions, login attempts etc. to check if these are valid and comply with security policies. This is important to ensure to keep security standards high and adapt when necessary.

Together, Authorization, Network security and auditing make up the three main components of our “security by design” – design by Niels van Kooten.

VISICS – SYSTEM DESIGN FOR DATA RELIABILITY

In the space of turnarounds for high-risk industries, reliability and insurance mean everything. System or human failure during these high-risk events can quickly escalate to life treating situations.  

In fact, the International Labor Organisation estimates that 340 million occupational accidents occur annually. Of which, in the United States alone, confined space incidents contributed to 1,030 fatalities between 2011-2018, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an average of 147 confined space fatalities per year – in the USA alone. 

The best way to mitigate these safety concerns and prevent escalation is, of course, a well thought and reliable system design.

Traditionally speaking, this design revolved around human excellence and thus was limited to human capability.

With the rise of technology and digitalisation we see turnarounds slowly integrating new technologies and practices with the goal of achieving greater efficiency and lower OHSE events.

It’s great to see this drive towards “the digital turnaround” for the sheer plethora of benefits it brings to everyone involved. BUT, as we know, turnarounds are challenging, meaning we must not get comfortable.

We have to keep asking ourselves “why?” and “what if?”, for the sake of safety.

Challenge accepted

Recently, we challenged our own system design to further identify areas which could use improvement, increasing total system redundancy, or in other words, system reliability.

The purpose of this was to challenge our own assumptions and historical design decisions, against recent developments and technological advances.

Our goal was to achieve a 100%, fully redundant core system, which is just as easy to deploy as our traditional VISICS solution.

Why? To ensure we could fulfill our safety promise, no matter the situation.

Our approach

We decided to approach the challenge by collaborating with the industry’s leading technology players – our partners. We rely on our partner’s expertise to stay on the pulse of innovation, able to lead the way in reliable digital turnaround solutions – around the globe.

The results

With the help of our partners at Dell Technology, VISICS underwent a complete system re-design, achieving a system network that is indeed 100% redundant at the core – VISICS 2.0.

With VISICS 2.0 redundancy is applied at several levels within the system architecture: power, server resources and network backbone.

In case of a datacenter failure, the system will keep functioning as expected, without any manual human interaction, meaning chances of a stop of work scenario due to a technical interruption is virtually eliminated.

Deployment

This new design was first deployed at the largest refinery in Wales, in February of 2021. The project consisted of 183 manways, with over 3,000 contractors on site. VISICS was able to deploy redundant services including digital confined space monitoring, remote gas detection, access control and people tracking, allowing all CSE professionals to work with peace of mind while performing their duties.

VISICS 2.0 Saving the Day

During this same deployment the client site experienced power failure. Under normal conditions this would have caused all confined space monitoring activities to go offline – leading to deploying manual safety watches to 183 confined spaces or a stop of work scenario.

Thanks to the redundant network design of VISICS 2.0 – Zero Confined Space Monitoring activities were interrupted with the power failure. Work was able to proceed per usual without any disturbance or human intervention.

About VISICS

VISICS is the high tech and fully digital mobile system that offers solutions for Digital Confined Space Monitoring, Remote Gas Detection, Access Control and Management, and People and Asset Tracking.

VISICS supports organisations operating in high-risk industries in advancing to intelligent and safe enterprises by reducing the barrier to digital safety tools and applications. Our solutions improve performance, increase efficiency and reduce costs, by presenting real-time actionable data, from day one of your maintenance project.

Our VISICS control center operators monitor the safety and well-being of CSE professionals continuously during their time in confined spaces, by using the installed VISICS equipment. The installed equipment continuously collects, records and analyzes the data for abnormalities and danger indications. In the event of an emergency, the operators can immediately take any action required.

By combining the right people with the best equipment and smart interfaces, VISICS helps protect CSE professionals from the risks and hazards associated with confined space work, 24/7 – no matter the “what if?”.