The industrial sector was long away from the digital network. However, now that technology has made its way into the industrial framework, it finds itself at an increasing risk of cyber exploitation. While the amalgamation of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has accelerated innovation and efficiency in industries, it has also paved the way for endless data exploitation. This blog talks about the risks associated with industrial cybersecurity and how PKI can be a catalyst for the security of industrial control systems.
Threat actors continuously target Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). Unlike IT frameworks, OT infrastructure often depends on third-party vendors and contractors. This aspect makes the network vulnerable to cyber crimes. To avoid such risks businesses must adopt a comprehensive strategy that is backed by the IEC 62443 standards. Encryption is an integral element in this approach that provides a strong layer of security against the risks of data manipulation, interception, and unauthorized access.
The IEC 62443 series is an in-depth structure to secure industrial control systems. Unlike IT systems, industrial control systems feature unique traits and characteristics, along with strict performance, availability, and lifespan needs. Also, if there is a cyber attack on industrial systems, then the consequences can be severe and potentially lead to human casualties, and environmental disasters.
IEC 62433 tackles the above risks with the help of a holistic strategy that covers technological as well as human aspects, working procedures, and measures to counter cyber attacks. The standard set by industrial and government collaboration focuses on risk-based techniques, emphasizes the protection of vital assets, and maintains operational efficiency.
Let us study the four main elements of the IEC 62443 framework!
General - Establishes basic concepts, industry terminology, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) models.
Policy and procedures - Defines procedures to execute and manage IACS security programs, such as requirements for security service executive and patch management.
System - Focus on the tool security of the system, risk analysis, and complete security needs.
Components - Provide comprehensive security specifications for individual devices, software applications, and network components.
IEC 62433 infrastructure is crucial for the security of sensitive data and eliminates the risks of cyber attacks. Cryptography is an important element that is highly essential for the protection of industrial networks.
Public Key Infrastructure or PKI refers to a cryptographic framework that creates, manages, distributes, stores, and revokes digital certificates. This is done to verify and authenticate the identities of users in electronic communications. Such communication is pertinent to the application and transport layers of industrial control and automation systems. These layers transmit and structure data between the electronic infrastructure of the entire Industrial Automation and Control Systems, including various devices, including:
Programmable Logic Controllers - These are industrial computers that control machines and their processes.
Remote Terminal Units - These refer to devices that gather information from control equipment and sensors in remote areas.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition - These are systems that track and control industrial procedures, such as Programmable Logic Controllers and Remote Terminal Units. This is essential to facilitate advanced supervision over huge areas.
Human-machine interfaces - These are interfaces that allow humans to engage with machines and processes.
The transport layer employs protocols including TLS and HTTPS and guarantees secure and reliable data transmission using data encryption techniques. Concurrently, the layer of application sets the structure for data setting and exchange, using protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, and OPC. Although these protocols have inherent security functioning, they usually rely on PKI for sophisticated encryption and authentication capabilities.
What is PKI in the USA?
If you want to know what is PKI in the USA, then you should know that PKI creates a dynamic framework in the industrial control system with the help of certificates issued by trusted Certificate Authorities or CA. This means that only authorized users and devices can communicate within the industrial architecture. This helps eliminate the risks associated with unauthorized access and data exploitation. The PKI digital passport validates the identity of each user within the network, thus adding an extra layer of security to combat unwanted intrusion.
If there are no certificates or cryptography, it becomes easy for unauthorized users to intercept data, and exploit the entire system. If there is a dynamic Public Key Infrastructure or PKI management system installed in the industrial infrastructure, then all points of unwarranted entry will be blocked and every digital entity will have to prove its authenticity before entering into the database.
PKI goes beyond data security to play a pivotal role encompassing various other aspects of industrial security procedures. Here’s how!
Code signing- Encrypted code signing verifies the integrity and authenticity of software and avoids illegal code injection thus, guaranteeing the execution of only authorized solutions.
Secure boot - Secure boot verifies digital signatures of firmware and bootloaders to protect the startup of devices and prevent unauthorized alterations. Despite this, various secure boot implementations depend on original asymmetric cryptography and not on PKI and this can be risky. This strategy accelerates the built-in security of the chip and also builds reliability on the chip vendor. This can potentially impact your strategy of product security.
Over-the-air updates - PKI secures the installation and distribution of software updates. It further protects against data tampering and ensures that only legitimate and warranted updates are applied.
Mobile code execution - PKI validates and authorizes dynamic code execution and mitigates all risks associated with harmful applications or scripts.
The PKI computer security network communicates between the Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. PKI ensures seamless exchange and distribution of key material between systems and devices. It also facilitates the security of keys from unauthorized exploitation or tampering. With the feature of unique machine identities that mark each device for mutual validation, only authorized devices can gain access to services and networks.
In every process mentioned above, PKI establishes the superiority and power of cryptography to establish a reliable infrastructure for industrial automation and control systems. This system compels each device to prove its authenticity each time instead of just assuming its trustworthiness. In case of any cyber attack on third-party vendors, PKI helps prevent them from entering the system. Operational continuity, reliability, and security are of utmost importance to Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). Here PKI ensures the security, authentication, and validation of critical elements of your organizational framework against malicious actors.
Industries operating on a large scale deploy a multitude of systems and devices where it becomes imperative to use automated tools for PKI management. This is necessary to safeguard PKI exchanges throughout the network continuously and streamline certificate lifecycle management right from creation and deployment to revocation and renewal. It is absurd to depend on manual procedures for managing the certificate lifecycle especially when your entire production and operation systems are automated.
Automated Public Key Infrastructure management minimizes the administrative burden on your data security team and reduces the chances of manual errors. Also, automated PKI management helps industries acquire and maintain compliance with industry policies such as IEC 62443 along with other compliance regulations that are relevant to your industry.
The integration of PKI management with other security controls in your industrial landscape builds an in-depth and layered strategy for cybersecurity that synchronizes with the holistic approach of IEC 62443.
The popularity and need for cybersecurity are rising continuously and have brought a revolution in the industrial ecosystem. In light of this truth, IEC 62443 is likely to be accompanied by various other guidelines and frameworks that leverage a comprehensive strategy for defense in industrial control systems. Public Key Infrastructure plays a critical part in this approach. It lays the base for digital security and reliability throughout the industrial infrastructure by safeguarding data transmission, protecting firmware, allowing code signing, and fostering secure updates.
As the process to a fully secure industrial ecosystem continues, businesses that run on legacy devices must become active as soon as possible. The elements of industrial control systems might never get a security update towards the end of their lifecycle, thus giving way to cyber attacks. It is suggested to mitigate the risks of Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) for the protection of industrial operations by implementing a strategy for combatting such risks. You can do this with a comprehensive PKI management system for Industrial Control Systems.
Leverage your strategy for securing industrial control systems with PKI solutions from eMudhra. Our solutions are compliant with industry regulations and can give the best visibility and automated control over your industrial control systems. We offer the best-tailored solutions that will safeguard your business from data exploitation and unnecessary service outages. Our expert team will help you create a roadmap for efficient management of your digital ecosystem.