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ABB’s cybersecure gas chromatograph

Thursday, April 23, 2026

ABB has created the world's first gas chromatograph with 'built in cybersecurity,' the GCP100. It does not need any additional firewall, and no ports are open by default. ABB's David Lincoln explained

Electrical engineering company ABB has released a new gas chromatograph, the GCP100, built to be 'secure by design'.

This means the system is protected for its expected lifecycle, even as cybersecurity risks evolve.

It does not need any additional security equipment, such as firewalls, before being connected to the internet. The communications ports are kept closed by default. There are no basic passwords. All of the data is encrypted.

Access control is role based. The software on it is signed, so you know who created it. There is a secure boot up.

You may be familiar with similar features found on laptop computers for use in corporate environments.

There are different communication protocols available, such as MODBUS and OPC UA, providing secure encrypted communications. With OPC UA communications, the data can be sent down a 'known pipe,' so you know who you are communicating with. So, the network is secure, as well as the device itself.

ABB provides all of its new products designed fully cybersecure. 'We consider security from the outset, when we want to create a new product,' says David Lincoln, Global Digital Lead for ABB Measurement and Analytics.

The US Department of Homeland Security did a study looking at cyber incidents on US control systems and found 98 per cent would not have happened if basic security practises had been followed, he says.

Having multiple security methods is like having a lock, a burglar alarm and lighting to make your house more secure.

You would also expect the network to be segmented, with only certain device types in it, and some monitoring on the communications, and all other devices on the network to be patched and updated, he says.

Gas chromatographs

Gas chromatographs are devices to understand the components in a gas stream, by analysing which molecules are present.

ABB's gas chromatograph can detect gas concentrations down to 1 part per million. It is designed for customers in natural gas, oil, biogas, and petrochemical industries.

Customers use it for important commercial reasons, including proving that a gas supply meets the required purity level to enter a shared pipeline, or proving the concentration of gas as it changes ownership (custody transfer).

Hackers may want to get access to a gas chromatograph as a way of messing up a company's operations, such as by fooling it into thinking the gas concentrations is different to the reality. The hacker could also make changes which cause safety risks.

Hackers may want to view or steal data coming from a device.

The device could hold industrial secrets, such as about a chemical 'recipe.'

If the chromatograph is used in custody transfer (transferring ownership of the gas from one party to another), the value of the gas being transferred can be changed by altering the data. If there is a theft of the gas taking place, the chromatograph reading could be adjusted to hide it.

Perhaps more importantly, all equipment on an operations technology network needs to be cybersecure today, because hackers will look for the weakest link as they try to find a way in.

Networking

The gas chromatograph has sophisticated communications capabilities to make it easier to work with.

The chromatograph is integrated with ABB's AI-driven 'My Measurement Assistant+.' It can generate QR codes on its display, which operators can scan with mobile devices, taking them to documentation and spare parts information on the internet. This includes an explanation of error codes.

Not so long ago, operations technology (OT) systems were not connected to any network. Many OT networks have devices which are relatively old and can have less secure communication protocols.

Now companies are seeking to make use of OT data, which means connecting the systems to networks.

This means bringing IT and OT (operations technology) systems closer together. Companies increasingly recognise that doing this can lead to ways to improve productivity and sustainability, Mr Lincoln says.

Associated Companies
» ABB

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