Three Viewpoints to Maintain Your Cybersecurity Progress on the Correct Path

During the previous couple of years, we have all observed how the COVID-19 pandemic has restructured our operational patterns and hastened the necessity for remote functions. To swiftly adjust to these changes in the surroundings, operational durability has turned into a vital objective for enterprises, including industrial establishments. There exists a widespread agreement among industrial organizations that the solution to reaching this objective is the convergence of IT and OT functions. Due to the advancements in technology in recent times, IT/OT convergence has transitioned from being merely a theoretical concept into an achievable objective.

As per a survey conducted by IDC¹ on industrial institutions, 40% of the participants have made investments in automation systems for their factories and production facilities to prepare for the future. While striving to accomplish IT/OT convergence, concerns about security may understandably be at the forefront of your thoughts due to the rise in cyber assaults worldwide. Presently, more than ever, these attacks frequently target crucial infrastructure such as railways, power distribution stations, and pipelines, making industrial operators understand they cannot disregard cybersecurity matters any longer.

A recent report highlighted that, ‘By 2030, 50% of industrial organizations will have devised a structure for a unified data control strategy that secures operational data for wider use throughout the organization.’ – IDC, Worldwide IT/OT Convergence FutureScape Predictions, 2021. Apart from this, Jonathan Lang, the Research Director of IT/OT Convergence Strategies at IDC, delineated that ‘IT staff must ascertain how to extend security practices to operational information without adversely impacting production.’ He also elucidated his forecast on the potential ramifications to IT operations during his recent participation in the Moxa Security Talks Episode 7.

Even though industrial operators are fully cognizant of the significance of cybersecurity, enriching network security for IT/OT convergence can be formidable. For instance, IT/OT convergence brings about a rise in the quantity of devices and systems that coexist on a single unified network, thereby making the management of the network while guaranteeing its security a more daunting task. Additionally, merging IT and OT domains that usually maintain distinct security prerequisites for operational purposes is challenging. In this piece, we present three viewpoints for you to mull over to aid you in surmounting obstacles and steering through the cybersecurity maze.

Initial Viewpoint: Establish Secure Industrial Networks Based on Users’ Probable Scenarios

As the count of interconnected devices and systems within industrial networks rises, so do the chances for unauthorized individuals to gain access to these systems. We must reconsider network security based on various scenarios that users might encounter and devise a strategy to avert any breaches. There are two pivotal scenarios that industrial operators should be mindful of. Overlooking these scenarios could result in substantial cybersecurity threats once IT/OT networks converge.

• Remote Connections

Given the efficiency of remote operations, remote connections have grown in popularity among users. Nevertheless, with the convergence of IT/OT networks, remote connections could become a vulnerability if they are linked to numerous machines on the internet lacking adequate protection. Operators ought to specify and manage network access, for example, determining who can access the network and being capable of authenticating the identity of the individual trying to access the network. This step will greatly aid in preventing unauthorized persons from gaining entry. Moreover, an extra layer of security can be added by ensuring that connections to your machines and systems occur through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and that any transmitted data is encrypted. By taking these precautions, industrial operators diminish the likelihood of a security breach when incorporating remote connections.

• Network Management

Effective management of large-scale networks is another crucial scenario since security requires continuous management and is not a singular event. When IT/OT networks converge, individuals utilizing these networks must possess the ability to visualize extensive network devices to ensure they can oversee the security status of the network. ‘Numerous of our clients call for more advanced solutions to augment visibility,’ mentioned Marty Wachi, business development manager at Moxa from the network infrastructure division. ‘Our clients need to monitor both existing and new network nodes consistently. Furthermore, they need to identify the anticipated applications and particularly, which users will necessitate access to the network. This is the level of protection our clients anticipate to safeguard their systems and assets.’ To intensify your network security visibility, you require a network management solution that inspects the security status of each network device and sends a notification when an unanticipated incident occurs.

Pro Tip

Attain a thorough comprehension of the scenarios that users are likely to encounter throughout their IT/OT convergence project. This will enable you to take the essential precautions to mitigate cybersecurity risks.

Second Viewpoint: Adopt a Comprehensive Approach to Safeguard Industrial Networks

IT/OT convergence introduces an array of systems onto a single network infrastructure. As a result, it is essential to possess a holistic perspective of your network infrastructure to guarantee that all network devices are safeguarded. We suggest developing a multi-layered security architecture in accordance with the following three levels:

• Management Level

It is crucial to keep operators informed about the network’s security status. You require both a network and security management system to uphold the security of your network. In addition to network management utilities that facilitate the monitoring of each network node’s security status within your network infrastructure, you may contemplate integrating a security dashboard. This dashboard will simplify the management of your cybersecurity solutions, record related security incidents, and scrutinize reports for future enhancements.

• Network Level

The initial step to protecting your networks from intruders is governing who can access your network. Implementing firewalls and secure routers can assist in controlling network access, regulating the flow of traffic and data on the network. Segregating your unified networks into multiple segments can enhance network management. If an intruder manages to infiltrate a network device, the risks can be contained within a specific segment, preventing the entire network from being compromised. Moreover, you also necessitate an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) for OT to identify threats and alert operators in case of an incident.

• Device Level

If proper precautions are not implemented, each of your network devices holds the potential to introduce a cybersecurity threat to the system. Implementing security measures such as password policies and the ability to disable functions on unused ports and services can help bolster device security and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access. Furthermore, a structured vulnerability response process for your network devices can aid in mitigating cybersecurity risks.

Pro Tip

Adopting a holistic approach to cybersecurity empowers you to amplifyEnsure your network protection is robust by obtaining a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding your network framework from managing the entire network system to each individual device.

Third View: Establishing Secure Industrial Networks based on Security Standards

Diverse objectives guide OT and IT staff in their network access methods. They also diverge significantly in their approaches to network protection. Harmonizing everyone to adhere to the same security guidelines is crucial for enhancing network security. Thankfully, security standards like IEC 62443 and NERC CIP facilitate unified security compliance for both IT and OT personnel under one organization. Moxa’s industrial cybersecurity (IACS) expert, Felipe Costa, suggests that more organizations are embracing the IEC 62443 standards due to its ability to provide a shared method to discuss security. Furthermore, these standards offer guidance on carrying out a comprehensive security approach and implementing security strategies. Notably, by adhering to the IEC 62443 standards, companies and devices can achieve certification, making it simpler for customers to identify suppliers and solutions with the necessary security features.

IEC 62443 can serve as a common language for asset owners, system integrators, and component suppliers, streamlining security adherence within an organization. It also outlines security directives for various individuals within the organization to comply with. For networking devices, the IEC 62443-4-1 standard assesses if an organization’s product lifecycle development complies with the relevant security criteria, while the IEC 62443-4-2 concentrates on fundamental security needs for networking devices. Devices certified with the IEC 62443-4-2 standard can be deemed secure. To delve deeper into the IEC 62443 standard, we recommend reading this insightful article.

Pro Tip

Opting for component suppliers and networking devices that hold IEC 62443 certifications is a savvy move to ensure that the networking devices integrated into your network infrastructure are secure.

Navigate Through the Cybersecurity Maze with Moxa’s Network Security and Cybersecurity Solutions

With a three-decade legacy in industrial networking, Moxa is dedicated to crafting secure and dependable networking solutions that proactively detect and counteract cyber threats in OT settings. To fulfill this commitment, Moxa abides by secure-by-design principles, leverages distributed OT intrusion prevention system capabilities, and offers an extensive range of robust networking portfolios to fortify industrial applications.

For further insights into Moxa’s network security and cybersecurity solutions, explore our microsite for detailed information.

Reference:

1. IDC, Worldwide IT/OT Convergence FutureScape Predictions, 2021.