Industrial control systems (ICS) are essential for running and keeping an eye on industrial processes. However, because cyber threats are getting more advanced, these operational technology (OT) systems are now the main targets for cyberattacks. To protect your organization from serious ICS breaches, it’s vital to put strong OT security measures in place.
The Rising Importance of ICS Security
With over 40% of OT computers facing malicious blocks in 2022 alone, the urgency to prioritize ICS security has never been greater. High-stakes attacks like the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware incident provide sobering case studies on the fragilities introduced by IT/OT convergence.
By crippling fuel delivery systems, the single breach impacted millions of Americans and cost the company over $4 million in recovery efforts. The attack vector? A compromised virtual private network (VPN) account that allowed access to OT systems from the IT network.
As digital transformations and cloud connectivity expand attack surfaces, organizations must proactively identify and address potential vulnerabilities in their ICS infrastructure. But what is it that makes these industrial environments so appealing to cybercriminals?
Why ICSs are Prime Targets for Cybercriminals
Legacy ICS technologies often lack basic cybersecurity provisions like encryption, authentication protocols, and regular patching. With safety and reliability prioritized over security, these systems provide a soft target for threat actors.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices are also proving challenging to secure as their connections to cloud environments can potentially expose OT networks to external attacks. Between 2021-2022, attacks on the automotive manufacturing (36.9%) and energy (34.5%) sectors showed significant upticks, indicating the vulnerabilities introduced by IIoT integration.
To make matters worse, the consolidation of IT and OT networks provides a gateway for cybercriminals to pivot between systems and inflict maximum damage.
Strategies to Fortify ICS Against Cyber Threats
A multi-layered defense is key to securing ICS environments. Core strategies include:
Follow Established ICS Security Frameworks
Leverage standards like NIST SP 800-82 for comprehensive security guidance. Perform gap assessments to identify areas of improvement.
Prioritize Identity and Access Management
Enforce strong, complex passwords. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access. Continuously audit logs for anomalies.
Segment and Separate IT and OT
While interconnectivity enables valuable information sharing between IT and OT environments, network segmentation is crucial to limit potential lateral pivots by threat actors. Effective strategies include:
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Maintaining separate VLANs for OT systems to control and monitor traffic.
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Implementing multi-level firewalls and Unidirectional Gateway solutions to monitor and filter connections. Specialized OT security solutions can help to securely enable communication between networks when needed.
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Enforcing strict access controls, allowing only authorized users and devices to access OT networks.
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Disabling unnecessary ports and services to minimize potential entry points.
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Virtualizing OT networks to isolate them from IT systems when feasible.
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Deploying VPNs with MFA to securely enable remote access to OT systems when needed.
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Consult with vendors when modifying firewall rules to avoid disrupting critical ICS processes.
The overarching goal is to create a clear demarcation between networks, limiting pivot opportunities for threats traversing from compromised IT environments.
Maintain Updated Threat Intelligence
Threat intelligence provides invaluable insights into emerging cyber risks and attack vectors tailored to compromise industrial sectors. Key aspects include:
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Watchlist known ICS-targeted malware families like Triton, Industroyer, and Havex to detect and respond quickly to attacks.
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Monitor chatter in dark web forums for threats discussing ICS vulnerabilities or targeting critical infrastructure.
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Subscribe to industry-specific threat intelligence feeds to identify potential risks to industrial sectors.
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Consult with vendors and ICS-CERT regularly for recommended security patches and firmware updates.
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Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security gaps.
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Utilize threat-hunting capabilities to uncover hidden or dormant threats.
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Contribute threat data with information-sharing communities like the World Economic Forum’s Charter of Trust to access collective insights.
With ICS-focused malware attacks rising steadily, proactive threat intelligence is no longer optional – it’s imperative for identifying and mitigating constantly evolving risks targeting these environments.
Monitor the ICS Continuously
Deploy tools like intrusion detection (IDS), security information, and event management (SIEM) to watch for threats.
Foster a Security-First Culture
Train all employees on cyber risks through regular awareness programs. Cultivate vigilance from the C-Suite down.
Comparison of ICS Security Solutions
|
Solution |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Network Segmentation |
Reduces attack surface, contains threats |
Complex to set up, manage |
|
Next-Gen Antivirus |
Machine learning detection, low false positives |
High resource usage |
|
MFA |
Stronger access control |
User inconvenience |
|
Security Training |
Improves human firewall |
Time investment |
Preparing for Potential Cyber Incidents
Despite best efforts, some attacks may still slip through. Organizations must also implement incident response (IR) plans to minimize impacts. Conduct periodic simulated incidents and response exercises. Test communication workflows and runbook procedures. Identify any gaps in detection or containment capabilities. Having well-defined IR protocols and regular practice ensures an effective response when a real-world attack unfolds. Your ability to rapidly isolate compromised systems and eradicate threats will determine how damaging an incident becomes.
The Bigger Picture: Beyond Business Impacts
ICS attacks have the potential for catastrophic kinetic impacts in the physical world. A major incident could feasibly cause loss of life by disrupting a power grid or polluting water supplies.
Gartner predicts cyber threat actors will purposefully orchestrate OT environment exploits with fatal impacts by 2025. Companies have a corporate social responsibility to implement resiliency against these worst-case scenarios. Robust ICS cybersecurity is imperative not just for business continuity, but for public health and safety.
Key Takeaways to Prevent Cyber Attacks on ICS
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Accept that ICS attacks are rapidly escalating across every industry.
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Treat OT security with the same importance as IT security.
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Follow established frameworks and best practices for ICS protections.
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Build a layered defense of technical controls and an alert workforce.
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Prepare response plans to minimize incident impacts when prevention fails.
Prioritizing OT cybersecurity reduces business risk and protects public safety. With vigilance and proactive measures, organizations can safeguard their ICS from constantly advancing cyber threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the most common ICS attack vectors?
A: Phishing, ransomware, brute force attacks, and unsecured remote access are the foremost threats. Poor configurations and lack of basic security hygiene also enable attacks.
Q: How often should we conduct incident response drills?
A: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework recommends ICS IR drills every 6 months. Annual large-scale exercises are also advised.
Q: Should IT and OT networks always be fully separated?
A: Complete air-gapping is often infeasible. With proper segmentation and monitoring, some controlled connectivity can be safely allowed.
Q: What are the top skills for an ICS security professional?
A: Strong ICS technology knowledge plus expertise in areas like network security, compliance, risk management, and intrusion detection.
