Impact Factor: 1.0

Published since June 20, 1964

at - Automatisierungstechnik

Methoden und Anwendungen der Steuerungs-, Regelungs- und Informationstechnik

ISSN: 2196-677X

Editor-in-chief: Ulrich Jumar

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About this journal

Objective
Automatisierungstechnik (AUTO) publishes articles covering the entire range of automation technology: development and application of methods, the operating principles, characteristics, and applications of tools and the interrelationships between automation technology and societal developments. The journal includes a tutorial series on "Theory for Users," and a forum for the exchange of viewpoints concerning past, present, and future developments. Automatisierungstechnik is the official organ of GMA (The VDI/VDE Society for Measurement and Automatic Control) and NAMUR (The Process-Industry Interest Group for Automation Technology).

Topics

control engineering
digital measurement systems
cybernetics
robotics
process automation / process engineering
control design
modelling
information processing
man-machine interfaces
networked control systems
complexity management
machine learning
ambient assisted living
automated driving
bio-analysis technology
building automation
factory automation / smart factories
flexible manufacturing systems
functional safety
mechatronic systems

Article formats
Overview articles (reviews), methodological papers, applications papers, tools papers

Your Benefits

Your benefits:

Practical relevance of published articles
Important guide on matters related to automation technology
New theoretical methods and their potential areas of application
Close ties to research institutes and universities engaged in automation research
Annual Best Paper Awards sponsored by industry partners
Special Issues on hot topics by renowned Guest Editors

History

The journal at – Automatisierungstechnik was founded in 1953 in West Germany, at the time entitled rt – Regelungstechnik, nine years after the first German chair for automation control was established at the Technical University of Berlin-Charlottenburg. The first German institute entirely dedicated to automation control was founded in 1955 in Dresden. The division of Germany into East and West as of 1949 affected the German automation control community in terms of knowledge exchange, personal contacts and publication habits, with West German results usually being published in at, while researchers in East Germany published in Messen, Steuern, Regeln (msr), founded in 1957. In 1991, following the German reunification, economic considerations dictated a merger of msr with the practical journal Automatisierungstechnische Praxis (atp), while the more theoretical content previously published by msr found itself drawn to at.

at – Automatisierungstechnik has been closely affiliated with the prime annual automation control conference in Germany, Regelungstechnisches Kolloquium, which is held every February in the town of Boppard near Koblenz. The 50th anniversary of this colloquium was celebrated in 2016 in at with a number of articles including historical accounts and rhymed wit.

Other publications in the field

Previous Titles

at - Automatiserungstechnik was originally founded as rt – Regelungstechnik. Its current name was introduced in 1985.

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Supplementary Materials

Topics

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Online Submission of Manuscripts

Volume 71 Issue 9

September 2023

Publicly Available September 11, 2023

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iii

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Editorial

September 8, 2023

Cybersecurity for industrial automation and control systems

Christian Haas, Georg Bretthauer, Jürgen Beyerer

Page range: 723-725

Forum

September 8, 2023

Device discovery and identification in industrial networks

Geräteerkennung und -identifizierung in industriellen Netzen

Klaus Biß, Jörg Kippe, Markus Karch

Page range: 726-735

Abstract

The Act on Federal Office for Information Security (BSI Act) explicitly mandates the use of attack detection systems. The BSI works together with operators of process plants as well as discrete manufacturing facilities in order to test sensors, which may be part of such systems, in their networks. This gives the BSI the opportunity to record a collection of network traffic from those plants. One goal is to improve the detection and characterization of devices in industrial networks by implementing new or enhanced features for the open source network monitoring tool suite Malcolm. In this context, the recording of the network traffic represents the starting point for further investigations. This paper highlights what needs to be considered in these recordings to serve as a basis for device identification and characterization.

Methods

September 8, 2023

Towards privacy-preserving cooperative control via encrypted distributed optimization

Philipp Binfet, Janis Adamek, Nils Schlüter, Moritz Schulze Darup

Page range: 736-747

Abstract

Cooperative control is crucial for the effective operation of dynamical multi-agent systems. Especially for distributed control schemes, it is essential to exchange data between the agents. This becomes a privacy threat if the data are sensitive. Encrypted control has shown the potential to address this risk and ensure confidentiality. However, existing approaches mainly focus on cloud-based control and distributed schemes are restrictive. In this paper, we present a novel privacy-preserving cooperative control scheme based on encrypted distributed optimization. More precisely, we focus on a secure distributed solution of a general consensus problem, which has manifold applications in cooperative control, by means of the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). As a unique feature of our approach, we explicitly take into account the common situation that local decision variables contain copies of quantities associated with neighboring agents and ensure the neighbor’s privacy. We show the effectiveness of our method based on a numerical case study dealing with the formation of mobile robots.

September 8, 2023

Secure bootstrapping for next-gen industrial automation systems

Sören Finster, Abdallah Dawoud, Florian Kohnhäuser, Abdulkadir Karaagac

Page range: 748-758

Abstract

The digitalization of industry and the convergence of IT and OT bring about the next generation of industrial automation systems which are expected to work with an orchestration of physical and virtualized components using a single converged network. The increase of complexity in such systems must be managed by an increase in automation for orchestration and management. However, bootstrapping such a complex system from out-of-the-box components is still a manual and error-prone process. We present a bootstrapping concept that brings up a system from out-of-the-box components to an operational solution with physical and virtualized components. The concept combines incremental network discovery with secure incremental bootstrapping of discovered physical components. The gained trust in the physical components of the network is then used to translate this trust into virtualized components. By attesting the trustworthiness of hosting infrastructure, the concept allows for virtualized components to be securely assigned a cryptographically secure identity that can be used in further application onboarding. Such securely bootstrapped systems are then capable to deliver the required adaptable, modular, and secure automation solutions of the future.

September 8, 2023

Nachvollziehbare Security by Design-Entscheidungen für Automatisierungssysteme mittels funktionsbasierter Diagramme und Security-Bibliotheken

Sarah Fluchs, Emre Taştan, Tobias Trumpf, Alexander Horch, Rainer Drath, Alexander Fay

Page range: 759-778

Abstract

Zusammenfassung „Security by Design“ ist der Begriff für die Verlagerung von Cybersecurity-Überlegungen von den Endnutzern eines Systems auf dessen Planer und Realisierer im Engineering. Um die Last auf den Schultern der Endnutzer zu verringern, müssen Security-Entscheidungen nicht nur während der Entwicklung getroffen werden, sondern auch in einer Weise, die für Dritte nachvollziehbar ist. Planer von industriellen Automatisierungssystemen (ICS) verfügen jedoch in der Regel weder über Security-Expertise noch über Zeit für das Security-Engineering. Die in dieser Arbeit vorgestellte Methode „Security by Design Decisions“ soll sie in die Lage versetzen, Security-Entscheidungen trotzdem selbstständig zu identifizieren, zu treffen und zu begründen. Kernelemente der Methode sind funktionsbasierte Diagramme sowie vordefinierte Bibliotheken mit typischen Funktionen und deren Security-Parametern. Die als Software-Demonstrator implementierte Methode wurde mit HIMA, einem deutschen Spezialisten für sicherheitsgerichtete Automatisierungslösungen, validiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Planer mit ihrer Hilfe Security-Entscheidungen identifizieren, treffen und nachvollziehbar dokumentieren können, die sie sonst nicht (bewusst) getroffen hätten – schnell und mit wenig Security-Expertise. Die Methode ist auch gut geeignet, um weniger erfahrenen Personen Wissen über Security-Entscheidungen zugänglich zu machen. Zusammengefasst können mit der Methode „Security by Design Decisions“ mehr Personen in kürzerer Zeit zur „Security by Design“ eines ICS beitragen.

Open Access September 8, 2023

A new hybrid risk assessment process for cyber security design of smart grids using fuzzy analytic hierarchy processes

Sine Canbolat, Ghada Elbez, Veit Hagenmeyer

Page range: 779-788

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Abstract

IT vulnerabilities, cyber threats, and resulting risks significantly impact the stability of current and future power grids. The results of a Risk Assessment process contribute to a better understanding of the causes and nature of the associated risks. The risks assessed by experts are available in both numerical and linguistic representations – this makes it beneficial to include a combination of linguistic and numerical analyses. In this paper, we propose a new Hybrid Risk Assessment method based on fuzzy logic, leading to more precise results. The presented approach specifies the variables and membership functions of fuzzy logic with reference to Smart Grids. For this propose, a case study with five risk events in a small-scale Smart Grid is carried out as an example. The results can then support decision-makers in ensuring grid stability.

Applications

Open Access September 8, 2023

Transformation in substation automation: Cyber-Resilient Digital Substations (CyReDS) in power grids

Dennis Rösch, Thomas Bauer, André Kummerow, Marcel Kühne, Steffen Nicolai, Peter Bretschneider

Page range: 789-801

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Abstract

The digitalization of substations leads to a high degree of automation, which is referred to as Digital Substations with the use of the IEC 61850. An increase in cybersecurity is necessary, and technically enabled by detection and incident response systems – security-by-design is currently often secondary. The next transformation step of substations is introduced and outlined in this paper as a cyber-resilient digital substation. Based on a state-of-the-art description, this paper presents a definition of cyber resilience for digital substations as a basis for the introduced cyber resilience monitor. The monitor acts as a central instance for recording, assessing and responding to security threats and incidents. Furthermore, the requirements for the system structure of the cyber-resilient digital substation are shown and underpinned with current research approaches.

Tools

September 8, 2023

Integration of Cyber Threat Intelligence into Security Onion and Malcolm for the use case of industrial networks

Tim Ackermann, Markus Karch, Jörg Kippe

Page range: 802-815

Abstract

With the increasing frequency of cyberattacks on Industrial Control Systems (ICS), the subject of cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) provides information about cyber adversaries, including their intentions and attack techniques. This paper analyzes the availability of open-source CTI for ICS, with a particular focus on technical indicators that can aid in detecting cyberattacks. Furthermore, this paper examines the automated integration of CTI data into SIEM systems and introduces CTIExchange as a tool that facilitates this integration by connecting Threat Intelligence Platforms with detection tools.

Volume 71 (2023)

Volume 70 (2022)

Volume 69 (2021)

Volume 68 (2020)

Volume 67 (2019)

Volume 66 (2018)

Volume 65 (2017)

Volume 64 (2016)

Volume 63 (2015)

Volume 62 (2014)

Volume 61 (2013)

Volume 60 (2012)

Volume 59 (2011)

Volume 58 (2010)

Volume 57 (2009)

Volume 56 (2008)

Volume 55 (2007)

Volume 54 (2006)

Volume 53 (2005)

Volume 52 (2004)

Volume 51 (2003)

Volume 50 (2002)

Volume 49 (2001)

Volume 48 (2000)

Volume 47 (1999)

Volume 46 (1998)

Volume 45 (1997)

Volume 44 (1996)

Volume 43 (1995)

Volume 42 (1994)

Issue 1-12

Volume 41 (1993)

Volume 40 (1992)

Volume 22 (1974)

Volume 21 (1973)

Issue 1-12

Volume 20 (1972)

Issue 1-12

Volume 19 (1971)

Issue JG

Volume 18 (1970)

Issue JG

Volume 17 (1969)

Volume 16 (1968)

Issue JG

Volume 15 (1967)

Issue 1-12

Volume 14 (1966)

Issue 1-12

Volume 13 (1965)

Issue 1-12

Volume 12 (1964)

Issue 1-12

Volume 11 (1963)

Issue 1-12

Volume 10 (1962)

Issue 1-12

Volume 9 (1961)

Issue 1-12

Volume 8 (1960)

Issue 1-12

Volume 7 (1959)

Issue 1-12

Volume 6 (1958)

Issue 1-12

Volume 5 (1957)

Issue 1-12

Volume 4 (1956)

Issue 1-12

Volume 3 (1955)

Issue 1-12

Volume 2 (1954)

Issue 1-12

Volume 1 (1953)

Issue 1-12

Journal Impact Factor	1.0	2022, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2023)
5-year Journal Impact Factor	0.9	2022, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2023)
Journal Citation Indicator	0.18	2022, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2023)
CiteScore	1.9	2022, Scopus (Elsevier B.V., 2023)
SCImago Journal Rank	0.328	2022, SJR (Scimago Lab, 2023; Data Source: Scopus)
Source Normalized Impact per Paper	0.649	2022, CWTS Journal Indicators (CWTS B.V., 2023; Data Source: Scopus)

More information about journal rankings

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Check that your topic fits the scope of the journal
Use our LaTeX or Word templates for drafting a manuscript Submission of your paper via our submission management tool
The editorial office will forward your manuscript to the Editor-in-Chief for evaluation and peer-review. We aim to provide decisions after peer-review within 3 months of receipt (including any author revisions); papers deemed unsuitable for the journal will usually be returned to authors within two weeks of submission
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Before submitting your article please refer to our at Ethical Guidelines and our Copyright Transfer Agreement
Manuscripts must be written in clear and concise German or English
For German articles we recommend that authors additionally include abstract and keywords in English
Our Repository Policy allows you to distribute 30 PDF copies of your published article to colleagues (the PDF has to include the information that it is an author's copy). Please also feel free to distribute the link to the online abstract
If you have any general questions please visit our FAQ page for authors or contact us directly at AUTO.Editorial@degruyter.com

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In this journal, authors have the option to publish their article under an open access license. Open Access allows you as an author to retain copyright and share your findings with colleagues and interested parties worldwide without any restraints.
Please note that authors from institutions with which we have a transformative agreement can publish open access without paying an article processing charge (APC). More information on the eligible institutions and articles can be found under the "Funding and Support" tab here.

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Jumar, ifak, Magdeburg

Advisory Board
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Adamy, TU Darmstadt
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jürgen Beyerer, Fraunhofer-IOSB, Karlsruhe
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Georg Bretthauer, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Fay, Helmut-Schmidt-Universität, Hamburg
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sören Hohmann, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Kleinert, RWTH Aachen
Dr. Kim Listmann, Bender GmbH & Co KG, Grünberg
Prof. Dr. Ralf Mikut, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Dr.-Ing. Jörg Neidig, Siemens AG, Nürnberg
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Georg Rauter, University of Basel
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dipl.-Math. Klaus Röbenack, TU Dresden
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Joachim Rudolph, Universität des Saarlands, Saarbrücken
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Martin Wolter, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
Prof. Dr. Ningbo Yu, Nankai University, Tianjin, P.R. China

Journal Coordinator
Birgit Zoglmeier
De Gruyter, Munich

AUTO.Editorial@degruyter.com

(Deutsch)

Online ISSN: 2196-677X
Print ISSN: 0178-2312
Type: Journal
Languages: German, English
Publisher: De Gruyter (O)
First published: June 20, 1964
Publication Frequency: 12 Issues per Year
Audience: researchers in the field of automation technology in academia and industry