How can industrial control systems comply with security standards?

1 NIST SP 800-82

One of the most comprehensive and widely used security standards for ICS is the NIST Special Publication 800-82, which provides guidelines for securing industrial control systems. This standard covers various aspects of ICS security, such as risk management, architecture design, network segmentation, access control, encryption, monitoring, incident response, and recovery. The standard also provides specific recommendations for different types of ICS, such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

3 ISA/IEC 62443-4-2

A specific standard within the IEC 62443 series that focuses on the security of ICS components is the ISA/IEC 62443-4-2, which specifies the technical security requirements for devices such as PLCs, remote terminal units (RTUs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and network equipment. The standard defines seven foundational requirements that apply to all ICS components, such as identification and authentication, use control, data confidentiality, data integrity, restricted data flow, timely response to events, and resource availability. The standard also defines four security levels that indicate the degree of protection against different types of threats.

5 CIS Controls

A practical and actionable security framework that can also be used for ICS is the CIS Controls, which are a set of 20 high-priority and effective security practices that can help organizations prevent and mitigate the most common cyber attacks. The CIS Controls are based on the consensus of experts and practitioners from various sectors and domains, and they are updated regularly to reflect the evolving threat landscape. The CIS Controls cover various security domains, such as inventory and asset management, configuration and change management , vulnerability management, identity and access management, data protection, incident response, and recovery.

6 How to comply

Complying with security standards for ICS can be a difficult and intricate process, as it requires a comprehensive understanding of the system's attributes, functions, and risks, as well as the applicable standards. However, some general steps to help ICS owners and operators comply with security standards include conducting a risk assessment to identify and prioritize threats, selecting and implementing appropriate security standards and controls that fit the system's requirements, objectives, and context. Additionally, it is important to monitor and audit the system's security performance and compliance status, report any deviations or incidents, review and update the system's security policies regularly, and guarantee that they align with changes in the system's environment, operations, and standards.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?