Rockwell Automation Advances Industrial Control Capabilities with New CompactLogix 5390 PLC

Rockwell Automation has unveiled the CompactLogix 5390, a new programmable logic controller (PLC) designed to advance its Integrated Architecture offering with improved performance and built-in safety and cybersecurity capabilities. According to a PR Newswire release issued from Voisins-le-Bretonneux, France, the new controller is targeted at machine builders who must navigate increasingly complex operational requirements and a tightening regulatory landscape around industrial automation and digital security. The CompactLogix 5390 is positioned as a response to growing industry pressure to embed cybersecurity protections directly into control hardware, rather than relying solely on network-level defences. This approach aligns with broader trends across industrial sectors — including maritime and offshore — where operational technology (OT) systems are under increasing scrutiny following high-profile cyberattacks on critical infrastructure worldwide. For the maritime industry, advances in PLC technology carry direct relevance. Programmable logic controllers form the backbone of shipboard automation systems, port terminal equipment, offshore platform controls, and marine propulsion management. As vessels and port facilities become more digitally integrated, the security and reliability of these foundational control systems becomes a critical concern for operators, classification societies, and flag state regulators alike. The integration of safety and cybersecurity functions within a single controller platform may also assist shipbuilders and equipment manufacturers in meeting certification requirements under frameworks such as the IEC 62443 industrial cybersecurity standard, which is increasingly referenced in maritime OT guidance from bodies including the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and major classification societies. Rockwell Automation did not disclose specific pricing or availability timelines in the announcement, but indicated the CompactLogix 5390 is intended to help manufacturers meet both current and anticipated future regulatory requirements. *Source: PR Newswire*