Sebastian Brose, Head of Security & Geo at VdS (centre), presented the certificate of recognition to Tobias Hatting (Service Delivery Manager), Stefan Crass (Portfolio Manager Safety Services), Tina Rohmann (Quality Manager) and Bettina Popp (Head of Risk & Quality Management) from Siemens (from left to right). (Photo: Siemens)
As part of the regular accreditation process, the technology group has successfully undergone an extended audit of its remote service for fire alarm systems. With this additional certification, Siemens will in future be able to demonstrate that it carries out remote access to installed fire alarm systems securely and in compliance with standards.
Siemens AG is the first installer to receive VdS accreditation with the addition “Certified remote service in accordance with DIN EN 50710”. VdS thereby confirms that the remote maintenance service for fire alarm systems meets the safety requirements of the European standard DIN EN 50710. The standard defines requirements for the secure provision of remote services for hazard detection systems.
Remote service: certification now part of VdS accreditation for the first time
The audits to verify compliance with the standard’s requirements were carried out as part of the VdS installer accreditation for hazard detection systems at the Siemens branches in Essen and Frankfurt. During these audits, the experts reviewed all relevant maintenance processes. In addition, remote access in accordance with DIN EN 50710 was assessed separately.
Unlike the previous procedure, proof is not provided via a separate document but will in future be shown as an additional note on the VdS installer accreditation certificate.
“By integrating the certification of secure remote services into the VdS installer accreditation, we are creating genuine added value for installers and operators. The evidence provided here documents secure and standards-compliant remote maintenance nationwide – this builds trust, reduces the workload on both sides and supports the secure use of innovative services,” emphasises Sebastian Brose, Head of Security & Geo at VdS.
“Given that this standard is still relatively new, it was important to us not to simply issue a self-declaration of compliance for our processes, but to have our interpretations and their implementation additionally validated by an independent expert. With VdS, we had a competent and trustworthy partner at our side,” adds Stefan Crass, Portfolio Manager for Safety Services at Siemens AG.
VdS expands its range of services for secure remote access
With the successful completion of the accreditation process, VdS is further expanding its range of services in the field of secure remote maintenance. The organisation was already involved in the development of DIN EN 50710 and has additionally published the VdS 6041 guideline. It defines security and reliability requirements for technical remote access platforms used, for example, for remote access to hazard detection or fire-extinguishing systems.
In addition, VdS offers certification for self-test facilities in accordance with VdS 6038. These help operators to detect impending faults at an early stage and also operate via corresponding remote access infrastructures.
