Secure and Private Implementation of Dynamic Controllers Using Semi-Homomorphic Encryption

This paper presents a secure and private implementation of linear time-invariant dynamic controllers using Paillier's encryption, a semi-homomorphic encryption method. To avoid overflow or underflow within the encryption domain, the state of the controller is reset periodically. A control design approach is presented to ensure stability and optimize performance of the closed-loop system with encrypted controller.Comment: Improved numerical exampl

Designing Security Policies for Complex SCADA Systems Protection

The management and protection of these SCADA systems must constantly evolve towards integrated decision making and policy driven by cyber security requirements. The current research stream in this domain aims, accordingly, to foster the smartness of the field equipment which exist through the generic concept of SCADA management and operation. Those components are governed by policies which depend on the components roles, as well as on the evolution of the crisis which also confer to the latter the latitude to react based on their own perception of the crisis evolution. Their latitude is calculated based on the component smartness and is strongly determined by, and depending on, the cyber safety of the component environment. Existing work related to crisis management tends to consider that components evolve and are organized in systems but as far as we know, no systemic solution exists which integrates all of the above requirements. This paper proposes an innovative version of ArchiMate® for the SCADA components modelling purpose to enrich their collaborations and, more particularly, the description of their behavior endorsed in the cyber-policy. Our work has been illustrated in the frame of a critical infrastructure in the field of petroleum supply and storage networks

Designing Security Policies for Complex SCADA Systems Protection

The management and protection of these SCADA systems must constantly evolve towards integrated decision making and policy driven by cyber security requirements. The current research stream in this domain aims, accordingly, to foster the smartness of the field equipment which exist through the generic concept of SCADA management and operation. Those components are governed by policies which depend on the components roles, as well as on the evolution of the crisis which also confer to the latter the latitude to react based on their own perception of the crisis evolution. Their latitude is calculated based on the component smartness and is strongly determined by, and depending on, the cyber safety of the component environment. Existing work related to crisis management tends to consider that components evolve and are organized in systems but as far as we know, no systemic solution exists which integrates all of the above requirements. This paper proposes an innovative version of ArchiMate® for the SCADA components modelling purpose to enrich their collaborations and, more particularly, the description of their behavior endorsed in the cyber-policy. Our work has been illustrated in the frame of a critical infrastructure in the field of petroleum supply and storage networks

A water distribution and treatment simulation for testing cyber security enhancements for water sector SCADA systems.

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems are used by many critical infrastructures including electric power production and distribution, water and waste water treatment, rail transportation, and gas and oil distribution. Originally isolated proprietary systems, SCADA systems are increasingly connected to enterprise networks and the Internet and today use commercial hardware and software. As a result SCADA systems now face serious cyber-security threats. The need for testing and evaluation of developed cyber-security solutions presents a challenge since evaluation on actual systems is usually not possible and building complete physical testbeds is costly. This thesis presents the design and development of a water systems simulation for testing and evaluation of cyber-security enhanced field devices. The simulation consists of two main parts: a human machine interface/master terminal unit (HMI/MTU) component and a water treatment and distribution component. The HMI/MTU part supports new security protocols used to communicate with the hardened remote terminal unit (RTU). The water system simulates a water treatment and distribution center. A data acquisition (DAQ) module was used in conjunction with LabVIEWTM to create a water distribution and treatment simulation that could be interfaced with an actual field device. Field device I/Os are wired to the DAQ which then interface with the LabVIEWTM simulation. The simulation supports: selectable polling of I/O, graphical representation of I/O, random water usage, constant water usage, and simulation data collection. The simulation uses a modular design pattern so that it can be easily extended in the future. Initial testing with a hardened RTU prototype confirmed the ability of the simulation to interact with real hardware and identified some minor errors in the prototype’s security protocol implementation. With additional DAQ devices the simulation could be extended to simulate larger water systems

Security aspects of SCADA and DCS environments

Abstract SCADA Systems can be seen as a fundamental component in Critical Infrastructures, having an impact in the overall performance of other Critical Infrastructures interconnected. Currently, these systems include in their network designs different types of Information and Communication Technology systems (such as the Internet and wireless technologies), not only to modernize operational processes but also to ensure automation and real-time control. Nonetheless, the use of these new technologies will bring new security challenges, which will have a significant impact on both the business process and home users. Therefore, the main purpose of this Chapter is to address these issues and to analyze the interdependencies of Process Control Systems with ICT systems, to discuss some security aspects and to offer some possible solutions and recommendations

Use of Service Oriented Architecture for Scada Networks

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems involve the use of distributed processing to operate geographically dispersed endpoint hardware components. They manage the control networks used to monitor and direct large-scale operations such as utilities and transit systems that are essential to national infrastructure. SCADA industrial control networks (ICNs) have long operated in obscurity and been kept isolated largely through strong physical security. Today, Internet technologies are increasingly being utilized to access control networks, giving rise to a growing concern that they are becoming more vulnerable to attack. Like SCADA, distributed processing is also central to cloud computing or, more formally, the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) computing model. Certain distinctive properties differentiate ICNs from the enterprise networks that cloud computing developments have focused on. The objective of this project is to determine if modern cloud computing technologies can be also applied to improving dated SCADA distributed processing systems. Extensive research was performed regarding control network requirements as compared to those of general enterprise networks. Research was also conducted into the benefits, implementation, and performance of SOA to determine its merits for application to control networks. The conclusion developed is that some aspects of cloud computing might be usefully applied to SCADA systems but that SOA fails to meet ICN requirements in a certain essential areas. The lack of current standards for SOA security presents an unacceptable risk to SCADA systems that manage dangerous equipment or essential services. SOA network performance is also not sufficiently deterministic to suit many real-time hardware control applications. Finally, SOA environments cannot as yet address the regulatory compliance assurance requirements of critical infrastructure SCADA systems

PLC Code Vulnerabilities Through SCADA Systems

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are widely used in automated manufacturing and in all areas of our nation\u27s infrastructure. Applications range from chemical processes and water treatment facilities to oil and gas production and electric power generation and distribution. Current research on SCADA system security focuses on the primary SCADA components and targets network centric attacks. Security risks via attacks against the peripheral devices such as the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have not been sufficiently addressed. Our research results address the need to develop PLC applications that are correct, safe and secure. This research provides an analysis of software safety and security threats. We develop countermeasures that are compatible with the existing PLC technologies. We study both intentional and unintentional software errors and propose methods to prevent them. The main contributions of this dissertation are: 1). Develop a taxonomy of software errors and attacks in ladder logic 2). Model ladder logic vulnerabilities 3). Develop security design patterns to avoid software vulnerabilities and incorrect practices 4). Implement a proof of concept static analysis tool which detects the vulnerabilities in the PLC code and recommend corresponding design patterns

Barriers to Secure ICT in a Maritime Environment

The purpose of the research reported in this thesis was to investigate the barriers to ICT security in a maritime environment so that the findings of the research can be used to develop a secure ICT maritime profile that will be capable of being updated on an on-going basis. This is an important area of research because the maritime sector is increasingly reliant upon ICT yet there is evidence that ICT security and the potential threats and consequences if ICT is not available when needed have not been given the attention they deserve. Indeed, the literature review carried out as part of this research pointed to a big gap in the maritime literature regarding ICT security. Literature from non-maritime specific fields was used to establish a basic understanding of the barriers most likely to be relevant and provide key terminology for use in this research. Empirical data were collected from semi-structured interviews with Royal Naval personnel and informal discussions with Merchant Navy officers. A robust yet flexible approach was used to interpret the results and thus identify the barriers, many of which are caused by complex interactions between social and technical factors, particularly on-board ships. Nine barriers to ICT security were revealed. They are: tensions experienced between security experts and ICT users; operational imperatives override security requirements; security requirements impeding business process; a limited ability to recover from disruption; unable or unwilling to share security incident information; Inadequate security training; disruption to situational awareness; unpredictable behaviour of people in difficult situations; and a lack of ICT security awareness. A new understanding of barriers arose from further interpretation of the findings, the results of which led to recommendations for the design for an updateable maritime ICT security profile that could be used to guide relevant staff (including Ship’s Security Officers) and as a tool to raise security awareness for non-experts