Glossary · Industrial cybersecurity
Sensor data integrity
In industrial systems, sensor data integrity is the confidence that sensor data remains accurate, complete, timely, authentic and protected from unintended change, from the sensor to every function that uses it.
- Cybersecurity
- Technical documentation
In one sentence
Sensor data integrity means sensor values stay accurate, complete, timely, authentic and unaltered on their way to every consuming function.
Example
An AGV fleet manager uses position data from floor sensors; a network delay that delivers readings two seconds late breaks sensor data integrity even though every value is correct.
How it applies
- Integrated systems: Integrity has several dimensions. Accuracy is a calibration question, timeliness a network and scheduling question, authenticity and protection from change a cybersecurity question. Each needs its own control.
- Machine safety: Safety functions should not depend on sensor data whose integrity is not assured at the required level. Use plausibility checks, timeouts and timestamps to detect bad or stale data and move to a safe state.
- Cybersecurity: Manipulated sensor values are an attack path into safety. Define which data crosses zone boundaries and how it is protected.
- Technical documentation: Document the assumptions: update rates, allowed latency, units, valid ranges and the reaction to invalid data. These are the basis for verification and for integrators connecting further systems.
Sensor data integrity vs. sensor accuracy
A sensor can be perfectly accurate and still deliver data without integrity, for example when values arrive late, are missing, or can be altered in transit. Accuracy is one property of integrity, not a substitute for it.