Is Your Fueling Technology Secure and Efficient?
If you look back at cell phones over the last 40 years, the technology behind them has evolved considerably. What was a cutting-edge device in 1985 is a relic today. While you could place a call from outside your home or office, taking photos and videos with your cell phone was not possible.
Today, people depend on being able to not only make calls from their smart phone, but send texts, take photos and videos, and access the internet and the millions of apps available. C-stores have that same need for dependable technology, which is why in 2023 new c-stores heavily increased their investments in tech.
When it comes to fuel management, the same holds true for Automatic Tank Gauges (ATGs). Over the past 30+ years, Gilbarco Veeder-Root released a series of industry-defining devices with the TLS-250, TLS-300, TLS-350, and TLS2. While innovative at the time, they did not have remote connectivity options nor were they built to protect against the potential security vulnerabilities we see today. As cyber-attacks became a real threat, the need to put a detailed corporate security policy in place became paramount to keep fueling sites protected from unwanted access. This includes using a firewall as the first line of defense in your network and ensuring that you are separating your most critical network traffic. PCI compliant data should be kept separate from other data, including tank gauge information (which is not governed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council).
Gilbarco Veeder-Root routinely updates the software for its TLS-450PLUS ATG and each release includes patches and updates for any recently identified vulnerabilities. It is best practice to periodically update console software. It is also important for users to take advantage of the security features of the TLS-450PLUS ATG. Organizations should create an administrator account on the gauge and use custom user rules to determine which users will receive access to critical fuel site data.
Staunch Security
Security is paramount in fuel management systems, given the potential environmental and financial risks. The TLS-450PLUS ATG incorporates advanced security measures that far surpass those of legacy systems:
- Isolated Network: Three ethernet connectors (for easy isolation of critical networks)
- Encrypted Web Access: Secure HTTPS interface
- Encrypted Serial Access: TLS-450PLUS features SSH-based serial commands interface secured with private-public key pairs
- Role-Based Access: Standard and customized roles for user via front panel or remote connectivity
- Network Routing: Advance routing tables to control flow of data to gateways and networks
- System Security: Gilbarco Veeder-Root utilizes advanced Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) cybersecurity database to identify emerging information-security vulnerabilities and provides regular software updates to defend against them
Learn more about the security features of the TLS-450PLUS here: here.
Transformative Tech
The TLS-450PLUS ATG embraces cutting-edge technology, offering a suite of features that address the shortcomings of legacy systems. Whether you need to remotely access or configure your Automatic Tank Gauges from a computer, or you want to check fuel inventories and alarms from your mobile device, the connectivity features needed to get the job done come standard, exclusively on the TLS-450PLUS and TLS4 Series ATGs.
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THE PLUS VIEW app provides real-time status updates from on-site or off-site, and includes:
- Station overview for an immediate status check on tank inventory
- Reports tab allows quick access to inventory and last delivery reports
- Alarms tab gives you instant access to view active alarms at a site
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Web-Enabled Interface allows you to remotely monitor and manage the ATG:
- Modify console configurations and access diagnostics
- Print wet stock management and compliance reports
- Email notifications for alarms and reports
The Bottom Line
The transition from the legacy ATGs of the past to the future-proof TLS-450PLUS represents a significant leap forward in fuel management technology. The integration of modern communication protocols, advanced sensor technology, cloud connectivity, and user-friendly interfaces has transformed how we manage fuel storage and distribution. More importantly, the enhanced security features provide peace of mind, ensuring that our fuel management systems are protected against modern threats.