As IT professionals focus more and more on secure and reliable remote site management, Eaton is spearheading the ability to manage power anytime, from anywhere, with its Gigabit Network Card (Network-M2). The M2, which allows for secure monitoring and control of an individual UPS by connecting it directly to the network, is the first UPS network card in the industry to meet both UL 2900-1 and IEC 62443-4-2 cybersecurity standards.
Eaton’s commitment to a security-first approach to power quality management sets the global vendor apart.
“There is a paradigm shift underway, and Eaton is building the technology for the future of monitoring hundreds of thousands of devices through the cloud securely,” says James Martin, global connectivity product manager at Eaton.
Connecting a UPS directly to the network essentially transforms it into an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The connectivity is the conduit for the device’s data and information, providing status, alerts, and remote capabilities. The notification features inform businesses of problems as they occur, avoiding shutdown in the event of an extended power outage, keeping information safe.
With the M2, IT managed service provider (MSP) partners can remotely monitor and manage their customers’ power through integration with the ConnectWise RMM or via Eaton’s Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) or Visual Power Manager (VPM) software.
“What makes the M2 special,”” Martin stresses, “”is that it’s focused on cybersecurity.”
The UL 2900-1 and IEC 62443-4-2 certifications ensure the M2 has been reviewed and tested, meeting the benchmarks of these two trusted organizations. “”It’s a huge differentiator,”” he says. “”Currently Eaton is the only major manufacturer of UPSs that holds those certificates.””
Key Security Features of the Eaton Gigabit Network Card
Encryption and password management are two key enhancements included in the Gigabit Network Card.
PASSWORD MANAGEMENT:
- Requires change of password on setup
- Configurable requirements for password complexity
- Certificate-based authentication in machine-to-machine connections—no username/password information saved on the client machine, separate certificates for each protocol
ENCRYPTION:
- Uses most current version of Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol
- Only secure protocols enabled by default
- Firmware is signed and encrypted, and will not boot if tampered with
- Secure SMTP for email alerts
In addition, Martin says, “”Eaton’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence maintains oversight over our products to make sure that we’re following the latest cybersecurity guidelines and continually testing them against all known CVEs as well as applying additional types of testing such as fuzz testing to make sure the card is resistant to all forms of attack.””
Martin adds that the M2 firmware is encrypted and the file system is digitally signed so it can’t be altered. “”So really there’s no way for a counterfeit version of the firmware to find its way onto our hardware.””
Adding Power Management to the Portfolio
Because the Eaton Gigabit Network Card uses widely adopted, secure protocols, MSPs can integrate it with almost any on-premises remote monitoring system they use. “”This really allows MSPs to start thinking about offering power as a service,”” Martin notes. Instead of reacting to power issues, MSPs can proactively manage their customers’ assets, including battery and UPS replacement and required maintenance, as well as automate firmware updates.
Moreover, with better speed and cybersecurity, the Gigabit Network Card improves business continuity by providing warnings of pending issues and helping to perform orderly shutdown of servers and storage in combination with Eaton IPM software.
“Because MSPs are adding value with power management, they can charge for those services or be more competitive as a result,” Martin says.
The M2 can add value for MSPs that are Eaton PowerAdvantage partners too, as Eaton is offering this latest-generation card at a comparative price to the previous version. “This is just a best practice,”” Martin says. “”It’s a way for us to protect our customers and make the world a safer place.”
