Tetra Pak – Sweden – Industry

Tetra Pak, a leader in food processing and packaging solutions, operates in over 160 countries, offering complete production lines that extend beyond packaging to include ingredient mixing, blending, and carbonating. As the company expanded its automation strategy, securing its intellectual property and ensuring food and functional safety became critical. In response, Tetra Pak integrated Wibu-Systems’ CodeMeter technology, safeguarding its industrial know-how while facilitating maintenance and service.

The Challenge

With a legacy of software protection dating back to 2007, Tetra Pak sought a robust solution that could protect both Rockwell and Siemens PLC environments without relying solely on passwords. Previous measures, including password-based security and source code control, had proven insufficient against evolving cyber threats and intellectual property theft. The company needed a solution that could prevent unauthorized access and modification of critical software controlling production lines. Additionally, Tetra Pak required a system capable of providing role-based, time-limited access to Field Service Engineers (FSEs) while ensuring seamless integration into their existing IT infrastructure.

The Solution

Wibu-Systems provided Tetra Pak with a secure and flexible licensing solution powered by CodeMeter. For Rockwell Automation PLCs, Tetra Pak integrated CodeMeter Source Protection Provider (CSPP) and Content-License Protection (CLP), ensuring program blocks were shielded from unauthorized access. For Siemens PLCs, Code-Meter Keyring for TIA Portal enabled seamless and secure pass-word management. Integration into Tetra Pak’s Enterprise Management System allows automated license distribution, ensuring engineers access to only the systems for which they were authorized. The entire system is centrally managed, with licenses stored in CmDongles that require authentication before use, mitigating the risk of credential leaks and unauthorized modifications.

The Result

With Wibu-Systems’ CodeMeter technology, Tetra Pak seamlessly integrated advanced security into its automation ecosystem. Functional safety was enhanced by reducing risks that could impact human health, while food safety was fortified through strict tampering protection of food safety parameters. Maintenance and service operations were simplified, granting tamper-proof control over source code, which reduced operational disruptions while enabling compliance with cybersecurity regulations. IP remained safeguarded, securing core knowledge and technological advancements. Financial risks were mitigated by preventing costly machine downtime. Additionally, the solution maintained certification and documentation validity, ensuring compliance with industry best practices.

Pravin Karthick Murugesan, Automation Engineer, Tetra Pak
“The security of our automation software is a non-negotiable factor in maintaining our leadership in the food processing industry. With Wibu-Systems’ CodeMeter, we have not only protected our intellectual property but also ensured food safety and enhanced system resilience. The seamless integration of CodeMeter into our existing IT infrastructure allowed us to strengthen security without disrupting our processes.”

The Company

Tetra Pak is a world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, committed to making food safe and available everywhere. Operating in over 160 countries, the company sold 179 billion packages in 2023 and provides equipment, training, maintenance, and digital solutions that help customers optimize their operations. With sustainability and innovation at its core, Tetra Pak continues to enhance efficiency and food safety worldwide.

Tetra Pak and Wibu-Systems: A Secure Foundation for Industrial Automation and Food Safety

For decades, Tetra Pak has pioneered advancements in food processing and packaging, ensuring that food reaches consumers safely and efficiently. Beyond packaging, its sophisticated production lines handle critical tasks such as ingredient mixing, homogenization, and carbonization, all of which demand secure and precise automation. To uphold its reputation and ensure the integrity of its industrial expertise, Tetra Pak turned to Wibu-Systems for a robust software protection solution that would secure its intellectual property while enhancing functional safety.

Tetra Pak’s journey toward comprehensive software security began in 2007 following global concerns over IP theft in outsourced production lines. Recognizing the vulnerabilities of traditional password-based security, the company initiated a multi-phase approach to safeguard its automation environment. By 2017, Tetra Pak had implemented software protection for Rockwell PLCs but soon realized that password-based security alone was insufficient. The emergence of corporate standards and automation strategies in 2020 underscored the need for an advanced, centrally managed security system.

Wibu-Systems introduced CodeMeter, an innovative licensing and protection solution that addressed Tetra Pak’s unique challenges. For Rockwell PLCs, Tetra Pak integrated CodeMeter Source Protection Provider (CSPP) and Content-License Protection (CLP), enabling secure password storage and access control within Rockwell’s development environment. Siemens PLCs, widely used in Tetra Pak’s production facilities, were safeguarded with CodeMeter Keyring for TIA Portal, a solution that enforced controlled access to critical source code.

A key element of the solution was the integration of CodeMeter into Tetra Pak’s Enterprise Management System, a platform for automation, connectivity, remote support, and service tools used by Field Service Engineers (FSEs) and Automation Specialists. FSEs require time-limited access to specific machines for maintenance and troubleshooting, and the Tetra Pak’s Enterprise Management System ensures that access is granted only when necessary. Each FSE carries a single CmDongle that holds their permissions, reducing complexity while enhancing security. If a dongle is lost, it can be blacklisted immediately, mitigating potential security risks.

The collaboration with Wibu-Systems provides multiple security benefits. By implementing CodeMeter, Tetra Pak protects program blocks from unauthorized read and write access, preventing tampering. Automated license activation simplifies workflows, while the integration into Tetra Pak’s software portal ensures a familiar user experience. Enhanced security also contributes to food safety by ensuring that essential cleaning and process control mechanisms remain tamper-proof.

Furthermore, the flexibility offered by Wibu-Systems’ licensing solutions allowed Tetra Pak to implement a unified protection strategy across its diverse range of PLCs and automation systems. The ability to define precise user roles and permissions helps prevent unauthorized modifications, ensuring that only designated personnel has the necessary access to critical production systems. By reducing reliance on passwords, CodeMeter significantly mitigated security vulnerabilities associated with credential theft and insider threats.

Through this strategic partnership, Tetra Pak has fortified its automation ecosystem with a future-ready security infrastructure. The adoption of CodeMeter has safeguarded Tetra Pak’s intellectual property, optimized operational efficiency, and reinforced its commitment to delivering safe and high-quality food products. As Tetra Pak continues to innovate in industrial automation, Wibu-Systems remains a trusted partner in securing the next generation of food processing technology. With ongoing advancements in cybersecurity regulations and industry best practices, this collaboration sets a benchmark for secure automation in the food processing sector, ensuring resilience against emerging threats and long-term sustainability.