This presentation provides a view of a target cyber security architecture made for industrial control systems – for the Operations Technology (OT) of the oil and gas, power, chemicals and other industries.
It would seem a straightforward idea. There is a cyber risk to vulnerable OT systems so why not cyber-secure the process control networks (PCNs) by integrating layered security (a defense-in- depth security architecture) in the same manner as the IT enterprise is made secure? Sounds simple. Yet a deeper understanding of the OT - the technology, business and operational requirements – makes it clear that simply adding an IT defense-in-depth security is not so straightforward. In some cases, it can even run counter to the safe operation of the plant.
There is no question that OT systems need to be hardened against cyber adversaries. The threat is real. The vulnerabilities and lack of protections against cyber attacks is alarming. Incidents are cropping up in growing numbers, ever more consequential. But the PCNs in OT systems have significant differences from IT systems. The security architecture must fit to the purpose and conditions of OT systems currently deployed in plants and remote locations - systems that are not easily replaced, enhanced or patched.
This is the challenge – to achieve a suitable security architecture for OT systems that provides needed defense-in-depth protections against cyber attacks while still meeting business requirements and safety functions.
This presentation delivers an architectural overview – first to reconcile the differences between OT operational requirements of reliable, real-time operations and safety with the cyber security requirements for identity and access control, asset management, segmentation, configuration and network management – just to name a few. Second, the presentation will discuss ways to achieve a target security architecture – one that can work within the reality of legacy (installed) PCNs with limited resource capacity constraints for computing and network flows.
How it is currently relevant to the industry: There is increasing concern within ICS industries (including Oil and Gas) about cyber threats at the same time that the industry becomes more aware of the existing exposures / vulnerabilities in its process control networks. The industry needs the right security answers – the kind that would work within a security architecture that is fit-for purpose in an OT environment with its constraints and business demands.
What objectives will be covered?
Intended audience: Engineers and Architects charged with security for OT/ICS
