Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 System Manual page 250

Protection
11.4 Configuring access protection for the CPU
Access levels Access restrictions
HMI access The same access restrictions apply to HMI access as to read access.
The following actions are not possible without the password either: Change of operating state
(RUN/STOP) and display of online/offline comparison status.
No access (complete When the CPUs have complete protection, no read or write access to the hardware configuration or
protection) blocks is possible (without access authorization in the form of a password). HMI access is not possi-
ble either.
Authentication with the correct password provides full access to the CPUs again.
Additional information
You can find a list of which functions are possible in the various protection levels in the
STEP 7 online help under "Setting options for protection".
Properties of the access levels
Each access level allows unrestricted access to certain functions without a password, for
example identification using the "Accessible devices" function.
The default of the CPUs is "No access (complete protection)". In the default access level, the
user is not allowed to read or modify the hardware configuration or the blocks. To get access
to the CPUs, assign parameters alternatively in the properties of the CPU:
• A password for the "No access (complete protection)" level of protection
• Another level of protection, e.g. "Full access (no protection)"
Communication between the CPUs via the communication functions in the blocks is not
restricted by the access level of the CPUs.
Entering the correct password enables access to all the functions that are allowed in the
given level.
Note
Configuring an access level does not replace know-how protection
Configuring access levels offers a high degree of protection against unauthorized changes to
the CPU through network access. Access levels restrict the rights to download the hardware
and software configuration to the CPUs. However, blocks on the SIMATIC Memory Card are
not write-protected or read-protected. Use know-how protection to protect the code of blocks
on the SIMATIC Memory Card.
Behavior of functions in different access levels
The STEP 7 online help includes a table listing the online functions available in the various
access levels.
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SIMATIC Drive Controller
System Manual, 11/2023, A5E46600094-AD