Honeywell International Inc.
Apparatus and method for using blockchains to establish trust between nodes in industrial control systems or other systems

Abstract:

An apparatus includes at least one processor configured to determine whether a blockchain identifies a valid smart contract indicating that communication with a specified node is permitted. In response to determining that the blockchain does identify the valid smart contract, the at least one processor is configured to establish a secure communication session with the specified node. In response to determining that the blockchain does not identify the valid smart contract, the at least one processor is configured to generate a new smart contract associated with the specified node, establish the secure communication session with the specified node in response to user approval of the new smart contract, and not establish the secure communication session with the specified node in response to user rejection of the new smart contract.