What is ICS Security? What is OT Security?

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are integral to the operation of various industries like manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and energy. These systems are also referred to as IACS-Industrial Automation and Control Systems. These systems come under the category of OT Systems, where OT stands for Operational Technology. This is to distinguish them from IT Systems that deal with only data and information processing.

The term “ICS security” refers to the measures and practices put in place to protect these systems from cyber threats, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of industrial processes. This is because a cyber attack on an ICS System may not just result in a loss of data or theft of information, but it may also result in physical events that may include production stoppages, loss of power or other utilities (in case of an attack on ICS of these facilities), equipment damage and more consequential damages, depending on the plant or equipment.

The terms ICS security and OT Security refer to the same thing, which is securing these from cyber threats.

In case the ICS is a SIS (Safety Instrumented System), it may result in worse consequences such as fires, explosions or toxic gas leakages.

What is the Importance of ICS Security?

ICS are crucial for the continuous operation of critical infrastructure and the other plants or equipment that they control. These systems control and monitor industrial environments, where a cyberattack could lead to significant disruptions, financial losses, safety hazards, or environmental damage. The importance of ICS security is amplified by the potential for such attacks to impact national security and public welfare.

How to implement ICS Security? What measures can be taken for protecting ICS from cyber attacks?

There are critical controls related to ICS that if managed well result in a robust security posture. ICS Security is not a one shot solution that can be implemented, but rather a continuous process that goes on and on, until the plant or equipment that it controls is in existence.

Hence this is better understood by means of the Abhisam Industrial Cybersecurity lifecycle that is shown below. Implementing the control points shown will go a long way in securing your ICS from cyber threats.

Click on the picture below to be taken to a smart chart that explains this in more detail.

ICS Security Certification

To learn more about ICS Security and get certified as a Certified Industrial Cybersecurity Professional, please consider taking the Abhisam Industrial Cybersecurity course.

Completing all modules of this ICS Certification course and passing the exam will earn you the title of CICP that you can append after your name. You can also display your electronic CICP badge on LinkedIn.

For those who wish to have only an awareness level training, please consider taking the Abhisam OT Cybersecurity Awareness course that will be available starting February 2024.

Challenges in ICS Security

There are several challenges faced by any organization who want to secure their ICS. Some of these are outlined below.

1.???? Lack of Awareness: There is a surprising lack of awareness not just about ICS Security and OT cyber security, but also about the role and importance of plant managers, plant engineers, technicians and operators in ensuring ICS Security. It is not the IT department’s sole responsibility! To easily make people aware of OT cybersecurity, consider the Abhisam OT Cybersecurity Awareness course (will be available in February 2024). It is a very cost effective ICS Security course and can be deployed instantly to hundreds of employees across your organization, with a tracking dashboard that lets you monitor learner progress.

2. Legacy Systems: Many ICS systems were designed and implemented before cybersecurity became a significant concern, making them inherently vulnerable.

3. Interconnectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT): The increasing integration of ICS with business networks and the internet introduces new vulnerabilities. There is an effort to document best practices regarding IoT devices in ICS via the upcoming IEC 62443-4-3, however it is still under development and will be some time until it is released.

4. Lack of Standardization: The diverse nature and customization of ICS across different industries pose challenges in implementing uniform security measures. Industry Standards such as the IEC 62443 series are helpful in implementing ICS security, however many of the parts are still under development and not released.

5. Insider Threats: Employees or contractors with access to ICS can pose a significant security risk. Many plant managers and other plant personnel need to be aware of these threats.

Where to get more information on ICS Security?

Please visit https://www.abhisam.com/cybersecurity/ for more information on ICS Security. Also visit our blog for more information about ICS Security here https://www.abhisam.com/cybersecurity-information/ and about IEC 62443 here https://www.abhisam.com/cybersecurity-information/iec-62443/