Cyber

How to protect your IACS

by Mark Rowe

Cybersecurity is one of the most vital aspects of industrial automation. Its primary aim is to safeguard all types of data from theft, damage, and exploitation, whether it’s personal identifiable information, intellectual property, or industrial systems.

While automation has helped increase productivity and efficiency, it has also made industries susceptible to various threats that arise from unintentional actions, accidental situations, or malicious and deliberate attacks. Indeed, with the advancement of technology and the growth of interconnectivity, computer-based systems have become more vulnerable to risks. More alarmingly, cyber-attacks are getting more sophisticated and complex, making it difficult to fend them off.

How do you avoid falling prey to cyber-attacks in an industrial setting? Let us start with the basics by defining IACS, understanding where the threats might come from, and knowing how to control, if not eliminate, the risks.

What are IACS (Industrial Automation and Control Systems)

In a nutshell, industrial automation and control systems automatically and often remotely operate, supervise, and monitor computer-based systems, including devices, machines, equipment, and processes. IACS covers the repetitive and mechanical functions of an industry or factory. It aims to reduce manual work in the industry and decrease, if not wholly eliminate, errors in the operations.

Almost all modern industries depend on IACS, from production and manufacturing to distribution. Think of computer-operated assembly lines, power plants, and telecommunications infrastructures.

IACS includes various types of control systems. Basic Process Control System (BPCS) manages process control and monitoring for a facility, machine, or equipment by taking inputs from sensors, resulting in the desired automatic action. Safety Instrumented System (SIS) ensures that the operation of a process remains safe whenever a threat occurs. For example, SIS closes the fuel gas valve if it detects high fuel gas pressure. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) gather, process, and distributes real-time data so operators can analyse the information and make decisions from it. More advanced SCADA software does not only monitor but also control operations. For instance, it sends out a notification if several of the products produced are coming out defective. It allows the operator to pause the process and determine the cause of the error.

There are several advantages to using IACS. The principal benefit is a boost in productivity as automation increases output without sacrificing quality. Unlike humans, automated control systems can function for long hours while maintaining accuracy. Automation also improves product quality, reduces labor and production cause, and ensures safety. One downside of industrial automation is the high investment cost, not only in acquiring the equipment but also in training employees on operating the tools. Another disadvantage, and a graver one, is that IACS is prone to cyber-attacks.

Possible cyber attacks

Because IACS uses internet connectivity to transfer, store, or process data, it is an easy target for cybercriminals. Some cyberattacks aim to maliciously disable computers, networks, or operations, while others intend to alter, destroy, or steal data.

Threats can come from the internet, third-party sources, software upgrades, maintenance activities, and unlawful access. A cyber breach can be malicious or accidental. Either way, it can compromise public health and safety, harm the environment, or disrupt the delivery of essential services.

Malicious cyber-attacks come in many forms; however, the most common are malware, phishing, denial of service, man-in-the-middle, SQL injection, and zero-day exploits.

Malware, which stands for malicious software, infects a single computer or an entire network or server by deceiving users into clicking on or downloading a harmful file, link, or document. One goal is to make the computer, file, or network inoperable until the victim pays (ransomware). Another is to obtain information from the hard drive (spyware).

Phishing is the process of using false communications to steal personal information such as credit cards, logins, or passwords. It typically involves tricking victims into installing malware disguised as an important file, particularly emails. Denial of service happens when cybercriminals flood the system or network with so much traffic that it becomes unavailable for anybody. Man-in-the-middle is a practice wherein attackers put themselves in between a two-party transaction, secretly filtering confidential information exchanged by the user and the web service.

In SQL injection, attackers insert a harmful code into a server that uses structured query language (SQL). The method forces the server to show information it should not have. A zero-day exploit targets a software vulnerability that the vendor does not know. Because it occurs before defences are put in place, the attack is usually successful, making it a severe security threat.

Disturbingly enough, many threats result from accidental cybersecurity incidents caused by human error or privacy breaches of third-party suppliers or partners.

Securing your IACS should be a priority at the start of the project. It means you need to have an experienced and competent control engineer to design the software, manage its development, and ensure it continues to function safely and efficiently. To achieve this, it’s recommended you go to a specialist recruitment agency in control and automation engineering. When building the IACS, think of the network architecture, firewall configuration, and access control. There should also be monitoring systems, detection tools, malware prevention, and security audit.

A stable network architecture has separate zones for every automation control system. It allows you to quickly and easily isolate the affected area if a breach occurs, thus, preventing the danger from spreading. It requires a well-configured firewall that restricts unauthorised access. Any access to the network, both internal and remote, should undergo authentication by verifying the person’s unique identity. The network should use encryption whenever it transmits critical data to ensure its security.

The employees play a very crucial role in strengthening cybersecurity and reducing the risk of attacks. Like any other organisation, workers should know the industry’s safety policies, especially those related to cybercrime. For this reason, make sure you set a Cyber Security Management System (CSMS) in place. It helps identify risks, mitigates them using security protocols, and makes safety policies based on the threats. More importantly, the staff should undergo training on the risks and the measures used to counter them.

Related News

  • Cyber

    Cyber status quo

    by Mark Rowe

    You’ve never been hacked before, and you’re confident you know where you critical or sensitive data is at all times. Why change…

  • Cyber

    PM opens Thales site

    by Mark Rowe

    Thales UK’s new headquarters in Green Park, Reading, pictured, were officially opened during a visit by the Prime Minister and Maidenhead MP…

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing