What is industrial control system?

Industrial control system (ICS) is a term used to define diverse types of control systems and related composition, which include the devices, structures, systems, and controls used to run and/or automate industrial procedures. Depending on the industry, each ICS works in a different way and is built to automatically manage tasks competently. Today, the devices and procedures employed in an ICS are used in almost every industrial segment and critical setup such as the trade, transportation, energy, and water treatment industries.

The majority of industrial control systems today are, in one way or the other, connected to the internet. This introduces them to susceptibilities like any other linked system. The difference is that interruption or penetration of an ICS network could lead to enormous outages, hundreds of thousands of affected users and even national catastrophe. ICS security is a security basis that guards these systems against unintended or deliberate risks.

Types of ICS

Several industries take advantage of a broad range of ICS electronic applications. Almost all important infrastructure and parts of industrial production need some type of industrial control system, in addition to processes and devices associated with it.

Some of the most used ICSs include:

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

These are solid-state control structures with durable, strong construction and a group of special functionalities, including an instinctual programming interface, I/O control, three modes control, calculation, counting and timing systems and sequential control.

PLCs are created to be highly robust, able to hold up to severe weather conditions such as very high and low temperatures, high moisture, electrical sounds and solid vibrations. These controllers are intended to screen and handle huge numbers of actuators and sensors, and they are prominent when compared to distinctive computer and processor systems owing to their high amount of I/O setups.

Distributed Control System (DCS)

In a DCS, there are several control systems spread in a way that they can be separately controlled. They are systems of controllers, sensors and specific computers that are spread through industrial plants. Each component of the distributed control system has an exclusive purpose, such as graphical presentation, process control, data procurement and data storage. The DCS acts like the industrial plant’s key system whose elements communicate with each other through a central control computer network, a kind of local area network. The distributed control system can track industrial procedures and make mechanical, real-time decisions using the production mediums and drifts that the system records throughout the whole plant.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)

The SCADA is a computer system that processes and collects data and employs operational controls over substantial distances. These systems were intended to solve communication problems, mostly data veracity and interruption issues arising from the many communication media. SCADA systems are used in many applications, including pipeline systems, power transmission and distribution, microwaves, satellites, and more.

Common ICS Threats

Safeguarding industrial systems is a difficult undertaking. The majority of them were built before the first cyber threat emerged, and had no in-built exterior security controls considered for their design. Here are some key ICS threats.

External Threats and Targeted Attacks

When you deliberate that ICSs often come under the purview of chemical engineering, manufacturing, delivery and healthcare, there’s no doubt that these systems are often attacked by terrorist groups, hackers and other groups with ulterior motives. The goal of politically-driven attacks is typically focused on inflicting physical harm or operational trouble, while industrial spying attacks will be more fixated on stealing or damaging Intellectual Property (IP).

Internal Threats

Insider threats are well recognized when it comes to IT networks, but they can also represent a massive risk to industrial networks. From discontented employees to contractors with malicious intent, the internal threat is tangible. Most ICS networks need little to no verification or encryption that controls or limits user activity. This implies that any insider will usually have limitless access to any device that exists on the network, including SCADA applications and other important mechanisms.

Human Error

Making mistakes is human nature. However, when errors are committed on an ICS network, they can cost dearly with a potential to undermine systems and credibility. In fact, in several situations, human error is considered the major threat to an ICS network. Human errors can comprise making improper configurations, PLC programming mistakes or forgetting to monitor key metrics or signals.

Security Measures to Secure ICS against Threats

Here are the three key methods that can secure ICS systems against any threats.

1) Protecting the Network

Industrial organizations seeking to protect their networks should ensure they have a good network design in place. They should then separate their networks by enforcing the ISA IEC 62443 standard, safeguard all wireless applications, and come up with secure remote access solutions to help with quick resolution of problems.

2) Protecting the Endpoints

OT experts might feel their companies’ endpoints are safeguarded against digital attacks, but they’re wrong. The moment workers, contractors, or supply chain personnel bring their laptop or USB within the boundary of the business network, security protocols are often paid no heed.

It is significant to ensure all endpoints are protected and to forbid staff from connecting their own personal devices to the network. Certainly, cybercriminals can attack PC-based endpoints in the OT environment. Companies must also secure their IT endpoints against attacks that navigate the OT environment.

3) Protecting the Controllers

Digital actors can gain access to critical devices that cause a company’s systems to malfunction. However, those wicked people have no direct way of doing so without gaining access to the control level.

Businesses can defend industrial controllers against digital attacks by boosting their detection competences and discernibility into ICS changes and threats, executing security measures for susceptible controllers, monitoring for doubtful access and change control, and noticing/controlling threats in a timely manner.

Conclusion

We live in an inter-connected world today. Connectivity has made our personal lives easier, while organizations use this facility to boost productivity. The reason companies, large and small, are putting ICS systems online is that the jobs that once were done manually can now be carried out remotely or with the aid of automation.

To secure ICS systems against today’s online security threats, it is imperative that organizations take adequate steps to come up with effective industrial security programs. It can appear challenging, but doing so will help the organizations secure their systems from nefarious digital actors and cybercriminals in the long haul.