The new standard for secure remote services: EN 50710
Protecting a commercial building is a complicated task. Increasing safety requirements, laws and regulations must be considered. Come along continuously growing complexity of technical networks and monitoring possibilities. To ensure data protection, as well as cyber security regulations, a new EU Standard has been formed. The EN 50710 defines Requirements for the provision of secure remote services for fire safety systems and security systems.
For the first time, the new standard EN50710 defines consistent criteria for remote services. All our services in every business unit already comply with these criteria. For instance, remote access to our fire alarm systems is only possible through a certified security server and a VPN tunnel. Security functions, such as authentication, encryption and continuous traceability are always available for our Integral Remote services. Furthermore, our contractual framework and specially trained staff meet the requirements of this standard.
Whether it comes to installation, inspection, performing maintenance tasks or software updates. Even the most intelligent fire alarm systems, access control systems and CCTVs must be accessed by service personnel sometimes. Until now, on-site visits by service and maintenance personnel were inevitable to perform such tasks. However, technological advancements such as IP networks provide more and more opportunities to access the systems remotely. For instance, a service technician could assess the state of a fire alarm control panel at any time in order to evaluate the need for necessary actions. In case of a fault, authorized employees receive a push notification on their smart device.
With this, service technicians can optimally plan their on-site operations. Nevertheless, remote services for security systems must meet high safety standards. On the one hand, unauthorised access needs to be safely avoided. On the other hand, errors in remote operation cannot cause any faults, or system downtimes. Another important factor is the safety of sensitive data and information.
Standardised rules for the provision of secure remote services
As a result, it is useful for manufacturers and operators to define standardized rule, to guarantee necessary application certainty. Until now, such a set of rules was missing. The perfect solution would be a standard defining requirements for the provision of secure remote services for fire safety and security systems giving all parties involved the needed level of legal security.
For this reason, the standard EN 50710 was created by the European Standards Organisations CEN and CENELEC. The standard is now called “Requirements for the provision of secure remote services for fire safety systems and security systems”. This standard came into effect this year and applies to almost all security systems.
What is EN 50710?
The new DIN EN 50710 defines requirements for remote services for fire protection and security systems for the first time. It came into force on 26.07.2022 and must be implemented by 26.07.2024. The regulations refer to a higher-level standard, EN 16763, which defines the requirements for the use of offerings for remote access to fire protection systems and security equipment.
The EN 50710 standard now defines remote access to security systems in detail. In addition to a description of the scope, normative references and definitions, it provides general information for all types of systems.
The installer must perform a risk assessment, which should take into account the scope of application, additional operator requirements and laws on data protection and cyber security.
Another topic is the contractual agreement on the type and scope of remote access between the installer and the plant operator. This includes definitions for secure connection, test scenarios before commissioning and protection against misuse by unauthorized third parties.
Who is affected by EN 50710?
- Fire safety systems, fire alarm systems, fixed firefighting systems, smoke and heat extraction systems
- Security systems, intrusion detection- and hold-up alarm systems electronic access control systems, perimeter surveillance systems and video surveillance systems
- personal emergency call systems as well as
- a combination of these and
- related management systems
Requirements for remote service systems.
The new EN 50710 standard also defines general criteria for the remote access system and the infrastructure for remote access. For example, if there is a control intervention or if a test is carried out remotely, a responsible person must be present in the object. If necessary, this person can take countermeasures, suppress alarms, or trigger external devices such as sirens. In addition, it is specified how the remote access infrastructure must be secured to protect against misuse. Measures such as authentication, encryption and traceability are listed.
In general, technical requirements for remote access are distinguished between read, control, and write functions, since security requirements increase in this order.
From our point of view
“Remote Services” can offer an important additional value to constructors and operators of security systems. Safety as well as reaction speed will increase, since faults can be detected faster, and measures set more efficiently. A universal standard for using such services facilitates cooperation between business partners but also increases legal security. Especially, when EN 50710 can be recognized as the generally accepted standard", says Alexander Schober Head of Productmanagement Fire Alarm Systems.
Standards and regulations change regularly, making it difficult for non-experts to keep track of everything. At Schrack Seconet, we know about the technical guidelines, regulations and standards that must be taken into account for fire alarm systems.
Are you interested in finding out more about EN 50710 and how Schrack Seconet fulfils the requirements of this standard? Contact our expert: a.schober@schrack-seconet.com
Link: https://www.integral-evoxx.com/en/firealarm-digital/
(Header Photo: Thomas Topf/Cumulus)