System and methodology providing multi-tier security for network data with industrial control components

A method to facilitate secure data exchange in an industrial controller network, comprising:

• determining a mapping for communication associated with an industrial controller;
• determining one or more security layers associated with the mapping;
• and
• associating the one or more security layers with one or more security components that are configured for a respective security layer.

An industrial control system, comprising:

• means for storing one or more security layers associated with an industrial controller, the one or more security layers include at least one of configurable or selectable security protocols;
• means for mapping each of the one or more security layers to at least one of a respective area or module associated with the industrial controller;
• and
• means for establishing communications with a network device based in part on at least one of the mapping, the one or more security layers or associated security components selected for each of the one or more security layers.