Arrangement and method for secure execution of an automation program in a cloud computing environment

An arrangement for secure execution of an automation program in a cloud computing environment, the arrangement comprising:

• computer hardware in which the automation program is installed in a publicly accessible IT infrastructure, the computer hardware forming dedicated hardware for execution of the automation program and being equipped with a dedicated runtime environment for the automation program, the dedicated hardware executing runtime code having runtime properties identical to runtime properties of a programmable logic controller located at a local execution level and the dedicated hardware being configured to operate sensors or actuators or read data of the sensors or actuators via at least one data channel which is routed via at least one data connection into the local execution level for data exchange with a remote I/O module or the local programmable logic controller located at the local execution level;
• and
• a cloud server connected to the computer hardware being connected via at least one data connection, the at least one data connection and the dedicated runtime environment being configured such that execution of the automation program is monitored via the cloud server and the data connection;
• wherein the cloud server is configured for data exchange with an industrial automation arrangement and the automation program is configured to one of (i) control, (ii) influence and (iii) monitor the industrial automation arrangement.