What are Industrial Control Systems?
Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are integrated hardware and software configurations used to control and automate industrial processes. ICSs are prevalent across a range of industries, including manufacturing, energy, utilities, and critical infrastructure sectors. These systems allow for the remote monitoring and control of physical devices, machinery, and processes, often orchestrating operations that require precise timing and coordination. The term ICS encompasses a variety of systems that differ in scale, complexity, and function, but ultimately these systems are all designed to manage industrial environments in a way that promotes efficiency and safety.
ICS Security
ICS Security refers specifically to the practices, tools, and processes used to protect Industrial Control Systems from cyber threats. It focuses on safeguarding the physical components, ensuring the safety and continuity of industrial operations, and maintaining the integrity of the control systems. ICS security is particularly important because these systems often control critical infrastructure. Ensuring the security of ICS involves protecting against threats that could lead to operational disruptions, physical harm, or significant economic and environmental impacts. ICS security is a specialized area that requires knowledge of both traditional IT security concepts and the unique operational requirements of industrial systems.
ICS & Cybersecurity
ICS in Cybersecurity is a broader theme that includes integrating ICS into an organization's overall cybersecurity posture. It encompasses both the specific security practices of ICS environments as well as their alignment with broader IT security measures. Given the critical role that ICSs play in national infrastructure and industrial operations, securing them is paramount. Historically, ICS environments were isolated, often referred to as "air-gapped," meaning they were separated from external networks and therefore considered safe from cyber threats. However, with the advent of digital transformation and increased connectivity, these systems have become more susceptible to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity for ICS is critical because an attack on these systems can lead to significant disruptions, physical damage, safety hazards, or even environmental harm.
Common Types of ICS
There are different types of ICS that include a variety of control and automation systems used for different purposes - each type serving specific functions in industrial processes. The three most common types are:
1. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
SCADA systems are used to monitor and control infrastructure over large geographic areas, such as power grids, pipelines, and water treatment facilities. They provide operators with a comprehensive view of system status through centralized control rooms, collecting data in real-time from sensors and other devices spread across remote locations.
ICS vs. SCADA
SCADA is often treated synonymously with ICS, however, it is actually a subset of ICS. While ICS represents the overarching category for systems that control industrial processes, SCADA specifically refers to systems used for monitoring and controlling remote equipment, particularly across large geographic expanses. SCADA typically interacts with other types of ICS, like PLCs, to gather data and initiate control commands.
2. Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
A DCS is employed primarily in industrial plants and factories to control processes that are more localized, such as chemical processing or oil refining. Unlike SCADA, which is geographically distributed, a DCS controls operations within a limited area using local controllers connected to a central control system.
3. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
PLCs are essential components in ICS environments. They are rugged industrial computers specifically designed to execute control processes, often in real-time. They are typically used for smaller, localized tasks like motor control, assembly lines, or simple machinery operations.
Classification of Industrial Controllers
Classification of Industrial Controllers is based on their function, scale, and deployment environment. Controllers like PLCs are classified as field devices designed to operate close to machinery, while systems like DCS and SCADA act at supervisory or distributed levels. In terms of control hierarchy, field devices collect data and manage individual components, while centralized control systems analyze the data to optimize the entire operation.
Who is Concerned with ICS Security?
In the cybersecurity industry, the topic of ICS security touches many roles across the spectrum. Operational Technology (OT) Security Analysts, Industrial Control System Engineers, Cybersecurity Architects, and Risk Management Leaders are among those tasked with ICS security and protection:
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OT Security Analysts are focused on monitoring ICS networks for unusual activity, ensuring that the systems remain free from malicious threats. They must have a deep understanding of the industrial processes they are protecting, along with the specific threats that target these environments.
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ICS Engineers are often responsible for the implementation and maintenance of these systems. They need to understand the cybersecurity implications of connecting ICS components to broader IT networks, as well as how to secure legacy devices that may not have been designed with security in mind.
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Cybersecurity Architects are tasked with designing secure network architectures that include ICS components. They must be familiar with best practices for network segmentation and the unique requirements of ICS environments, balancing security with operational efficiency.
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Risk Management Leaders focus on the potential impact of ICS breaches. They need to understand the risks posed by different types of attacks on ICS environments, including potential operational disruptions and broader implications for critical infrastructure. These professionals are also key in developing strategies that prioritize the mitigation of risks specific to ICS.
A key point for all cybersecurity professionals working with ICS is that traditional IT security practices cannot simply be applied directly to ICS environments. ICS systems often have unique requirements regarding uptime, equipment compatibility, and operational safety, which means that cybersecurity measures must be adapted to fit the industrial context.
Importance of Industrial Control Systems
The importance of Industrial Control Systems cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to critical infrastructure and essential services that societies rely on daily. The convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) within ICS environments has brought new efficiencies but also introduced unique cybersecurity challenges. Ensuring the reliability, integrity, and availability of ICSs is crucial, as disruptions in these systems can have significant consequences, ranging from operational downtime to broader impacts on national security.
Challenges in Protecting ICS from Cyber Threats
The protection of ICS against exposures involves unique challenges compared to traditional IT systems. ICS environments often consist of legacy equipment that lacks built-in security controls, and downtime for patching and maintenance can be costly. Consequently, cybersecurity measures for ICS must balance rigorous protection with the need to maintain the operational continuity of essential industrial processes. Techniques like network segmentation, robust access controls, anomaly detection, and specialized incident response protocols are commonly employed to safeguard these systems from attacks.
Protect Industrial Control Systems with Security Ratings
By regularly rating critical infrastructure cybersecurity, governments and businesses can:
Continuously monitor critical infrastructure cybersecurity
Bitsight delivers actionable and continuous insight into cyber risks threatening a nation. Rather than relying on subjective, outdated datasets, governments leverage Bitsight to continuously and automatically measure, monitor, and learn more about specific cybersecurity risks. Bitsight reveals the prevalence of risks and vulnerabilities within the country, and the specific risks facing critical organizations. Bitsight ratings also issue alerts when the security posture of agencies or nations change or deviate from established risk thresholds.
Inform decision-making with forensic data
Bitsight Sovereign Security Ratings reveal data-driven risk insights so stakeholders make better decisions to improve security postures and address risk. Forensic details and infection data help cybersecurity teams facilitate remediation. Government stakeholders review cybersecurity trends within their nation, execute searches on a country-wide level, and put plans in place to reduce risk and prevent cybercrime.
Benchmark national security performance
Bitsight’s unique data and insights enable governments to understand their country’s national cybersecurity performance. With Bitsight for Critical National Infrastructure, governments can benchmark their own security performance against counterparts to understand how key industries perform when compared to other nations. With these insights, governments identify security shortcomings, set realistic targets, create security plans, and reduce cyber risk.
We're also prioritizing ICS security in our day-to-day business operations here at Bitsight, including through our research, our partnership with Schneider Electric, and the ICS lab we’ve built.