1. A method for determining a threat situation for an automation component, said method comprising: via a processor of an automation component, operating said automation component with a substantially cyclic program behavior; in a memory, storing a plurality of required program behaviors; in said processor, cyclically establishing at least one actual program behavior of said automation component; in said processor, accessing said required program behaviors from said memory and cyclically comparing said actual program behavior with said required program behaviors; and from said processor, emitting an output that indicates a threat situation when said actual program behavior deviates from at least one of said required program behaviors by a predetermined degree of deviation.