Industry 4.0 in the context of software protection and license management systems
Industry 4.0 refers to the networking of physical machines, sensors and software systems using digital technologies such as IoT, AI and cloud computing to enable autonomous, data-driven production processes. In the context of software protection, this includes
- Cyber-physical systems (CPS) with integrated software control
- Secure-by-design architectures for machine communication
- Dynamic license models for cloud-based industrial applications
Importance for software protection & license management
Industry 4.0 requires new protection mechanisms to secure the growing attack surface of networked production environments:
| Objective | Description |
| Protection of intellectual property | 87% of industrial companies see software piracy as the biggest threat to IP in networked factories |
| License compliance | Flexible management of pay-per-use, subscription and feature licenses for machine control software |
| IT/OT convergence | Integration of IT security standards (e.g. ISO 27001) into operational technologies (OT) |
Key components
Software protection systems
Modern software protection systems increasingly rely on versatile security mechanisms such as hardware-based encryption or API security to secure the license. One example of a system with hardware-based encryption is the CRYPTO-BOX, which enables broad support for a wide range of development environments and platforms thanks to its API integration.
License management tools
- Containerized licenses for edge devices
- AI-supported usage analyses to avoid over-licensing
- Blockchain-based license chains
Influencing factors
| Factor | Impact |
| 5G network expansion | Higher data volumes → stricter access controls |
| Cloud migration | 63% of manufacturers use hybrid cloud stack → hybrid license management required |
| EU Cyber Resilience Act | Mandatory security certification for industrial software from 2025 |
Advantages for companies
- Control over distributed systems: Central management of licenses across locations
- Scalable models: Usage-based billing reduces CAPEX by 15-30%
- Compliance reduction: Automated audits reduce penalty risks by 90%
- Competitive advantage: 40% faster time to market for new features
Future 2025+: Relevance for the industry
- Edge licensing: Decentralized license distribution for IoT devices
- Quantum-Safe Encryption: Preparing for post-quantum attacks in production networks
- Regulatory drivers: EU data space “Manufacturing-X” requires standardized protection protocols
Conclusion
Modern software protection and license management systems are essential to ensure security, compliance and scalability in Industry 4.0 environments. In the future, technologies such as decentralized edge licensing and quantum-safe encryption will be crucial to overcome regulatory requirements and cyber-physical threats.
Author:
Steffen Kätsch
Senior Support Engineer / Consultant License Management
Education: FH Jena
Expertise: License Management Software Licensing Software Protection IT Compliance Digital Rights Management
