An industrial controller module, comprising: memory that stores executable components; one or more processors, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the executable components, the executable components comprising: a program execution component configured to execute an industrial control program that controls output signals of an industrial controller based on input signals received by the industrial controller, wherein the output signals and the input signals are conveyed via a backplane of the industrial controller; and a device authentication component configured to: detect installation of a modular device on the backplane of the industrial controller; exchange authentication data with the modular device via the backplane during a device authentication sequence; initiate operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on a result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is authorized to operate on the backplane; and disable the operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on the result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is not authorized to operate on the backplane, characterized in that operation of the modular device is disabled by disabling a run mode of the industrial controller module, thereby preventing the industrial control program from executing until such time as the device authentication component authorizes all modular devices installed in the industrial controller. memory that stores executable components; one or more processors, operatively coupled to the memory, that executes the executable components, the executable components comprising: a program execution component configured to execute an industrial control program that controls output signals of an industrial controller based on input signals received by the industrial controller, wherein the output signals and the input signals are conveyed via a backplane of the industrial controller; and a device authentication component configured to: detect installation of a modular device on the backplane of the industrial controller; exchange authentication data with the modular device via the backplane during a device authentication sequence; initiate operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on a result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is authorized to operate on the backplane; and disable the operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on the result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is not authorized to operate on the backplane, characterized in that operation of the modular device is disabled by disabling a run mode of the industrial controller module, thereby preventing the industrial control program from executing until such time as the device authentication component authorizes all modular devices installed in the industrial controller. a program execution component configured to execute an industrial control program that controls output signals of an industrial controller based on input signals received by the industrial controller, wherein the output signals and the input signals are conveyed via a backplane of the industrial controller; and a device authentication component configured to: detect installation of a modular device on the backplane of the industrial controller; exchange authentication data with the modular device via the backplane during a device authentication sequence; initiate operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on a result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is authorized to operate on the backplane; and disable the operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on the result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is not authorized to operate on the backplane, characterized in that operation of the modular device is disabled by disabling a run mode of the industrial controller module, thereby preventing the industrial control program from executing until such time as the device authentication component authorizes all modular devices installed in the industrial controller. detect installation of a modular device on the backplane of the industrial controller; exchange authentication data with the modular device via the backplane during a device authentication sequence; initiate operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on a result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is authorized to operate on the backplane; and disable the operation of the modular device on the backplane in response to determining, based on the result of the authentication sequence, that the modular device is not authorized to operate on the backplane, characterized in that operation of the modular device is disabled by disabling a run mode of the industrial controller module, thereby preventing the industrial control program from executing until such time as the device authentication component authorizes all modular devices installed in the industrial controller.