Security Issues for Internet-Based Calibration Activities

This paper describes a software tool that is able to remotely exercise the calibration procedure of a measurement device. Such a tool, which is based on a client-server application over the Internet, requires that the Unit Under Test (UUT) and the reference standard are programmable instruments that are connected to the PC where the client application runs. This allows the calibration of the UUT to be performed without move it, thus drastically reducing the out-of-service time. Furthermore, the presence of a skilled technician is not required at the UUT site, so that the overall calibration cost is reduced. Particular attention is payed towards the 'security' problems related to the exchange of information over the Internet and a solution is proposed in order to give an high confidence in data integrity and system inaccessibility. In the paper, the authors describe a specific application of the calibration software, which has been specialized for the remote calibration of data acquisition boards. A travelling standard, which has been specifically designed for this application, is also described.