Method to transfer process data utilizing highly secure boundary networks

A system for automated transfer of process data from a first application in a secure network to a second application in an unsecure network, the system comprising:

• a first firewall configured to protect the secure network;
• a second firewall configured to protect the unsecure network;
• an existing interface configured to transfer the process data having a first format from the secure network to the unsecure network through the first and second firewalls, the process data further including new data having a second format different from the first format;
• an outbound circuit in the secure network and configured to
• receive the new data from the first application,
• convert the received new data from the second format to a binary format, and
• write the converted binary data to the existing interface as further process data having the first format;
• an interface circuit between the first and second firewalls and configured to transfer the written binary data through the first and second firewalls using the existing interface;
• and
• an inbound circuit in the unsecure network and configured to
• receive the transferred binary data from the existing interface,
• convert the received binary data from the binary format to the new data having the second format, and
• make the converted new data available to the second application.

A computer-readable medium (CRM) comprising one or more non-transitory storage media containing instructions that, when executed on one or more computer processors, cause the processors to perform an automated method of transferring process data from a secure network protected by a first firewall to an unsecure network protected by a second firewall using an existing interface, the existing interface being configured to transfer the process data having a first format from the secure network to the unsecure network through the first and second firewalls, the process data further including new data having a second format different from the first format, the method comprising:

• receiving the new data from a first application in the secure network;
• converting the received new data from the second format to a binary format;
• writing the converted binary data to the existing interface as further process data having the first format;
• transferring the written binary data through the first and second firewalls using the existing interface;
• receiving the transferred binary data from the existing interface;
• converting the received binary data from the binary format to the new data having the second format;
• and
• making the converted new data available to a second application in the unsecure network.