A safety controller for controlling an automated installation on the basis of project data, wherein the project data represent an application running on the installation, comprising a plurality of controller hardware components (28, 28', 28", 28'''), each comprising a respective project data memory (52, 52', 52", 52''', 52'''') and at least one data processing unit (152, 154, 156, 158), with the project data memories (52, 52', 52", 52''', 52'''') each being designed for storing project data (130, 132) supplied to them, a connecting unit via which the controller hardware components (28, 28', 28", 28''') are connected to one another, and a distribution unit (52, 142) designed for distributing at least some of the project data (130, 132) to at least some of the project data memories (52, 52', 52", 52''', 52'''') via the connecting unit, wherein project data (132") intended for a first data processing unit are stored in a first project data memory located in the controller hardware component where the first data processing unit is arranged, and wherein project data required for a second data processing unit, which is also located in the controller hardware component, are stored in a second project data memory (52"), characterized in that the project data (130, 132) comprise one or more of program data (76, 78), configuration data (58, 64, 70) or parameterization data, wherein the program data represent an application program, the configuration data represent a cycle time and the parameterization data represent value ranges for individual variables or functionalities used in the user program, that the first project data memory is designed for forwarding project data supplied to it to at least one other project data memory (52', 52''', 52'''') or for requesting project data stored in another project data memory (52', 52''', 52''''), and that the second project data memory (52") is located in another controller hardware component, wherein the second data processing unit can access the project data in the second project data memory (52") via the first project data memory. a plurality of controller hardware components (28, 28', 28", 28'''), each comprising a respective project data memory (52, 52', 52", 52''', 52'''') and at least one data processing unit (152, 154, 156, 158), with the project data memories (52, 52', 52", 52''', 52'''') each being designed for storing project data (130, 132) supplied to them, a connecting unit via which the controller hardware components (28, 28', 28", 28''') are connected to one another, and a distribution unit (52, 142) designed for distributing at least some of the project data (130, 132) to at least some of the project data memories (52, 52', 52", 52''', 52'''') via the connecting unit, wherein project data (132") intended for a first data processing unit are stored in a first project data memory located in the controller hardware component where the first data processing unit is arranged, and wherein project data required for a second data processing unit, which is also located in the controller hardware component, are stored in a second project data memory (52"), characterized in that the project data (130, 132) comprise one or more of program data (76, 78), configuration data (58, 64, 70) or parameterization data, wherein the program data represent an application program, the configuration data represent a cycle time and the parameterization data represent value ranges for individual variables or functionalities used in the user program, that the first project data memory is designed for forwarding project data supplied to it to at least one other project data memory (52', 52''', 52'''') or for requesting project data stored in another project data memory (52', 52''', 52''''), and that the second project data memory (52") is located in another controller hardware component, wherein the second data processing unit can access the project data in the second project data memory (52") via the first project data memory.