Value focused assessment of cyber risks to gain benefits from security investments

Doutoramento em GestãoCom a multiplicação de dispositivos tecnológicos e com as suas complexas interacções, os ciber riscos não param de crescer. As entidades supervisoras estabelecem novos requisitos para forçar organizações a gerir os ciber riscos. Mesmo com estas crescentes ameaças e requisitos, decisões para a mitigação de ciber riscos continuam a não ser bem aceites pelas partes interessadas e os benefícios dos investimentos em segurança permanecem imperceptíveis para a gestão de topo. Esta investigação analisa o ciclo de vida da gestão de ciber risco identificando objectivos de mitigação de ciber risco, capturados de especialistas da área, prioritizando esses objectivos para criar um modelo de decisão para auxiliar gestores de risco tendo em conta vários cenários reais, desenvolvendo um conjunto de princípios de gestão de risco que possibilitam o estabelecimento de uma base para a estratégia de ciber risco aplicável e adaptável às organizações e finalmente a avaliação dos benefícios dos investimentos em segurança para mitigação dos ciber riscos seguindo uma abordagem de melhoria contínua. Duas frameworks teóricas são integradas para endereçar o ciclo de vida completo da gestão de ciber risco: o pensamento focado em valor guia o processo de decisão e a gestão de benefícios assegura que os benefícios para o negócio são realizados durante a implementação do projecto, depois de tomada a decisão para investir numa solução de segurança para mitigação do ciber risco.With the multiplication of technological devices and their multiple complex interactions, the cyber risks keep increasing. Supervision entities establish new compliance requirements to force organizations to manage cyber risks. Despite these growing threats and requirements, decisions in cyber risk minimization continue not to be accepted by stakeholders and the business benefits of security investments remain unnoticed to top management. This research analyzes the cyber risk management lifecycle by identifying cyber risk mitigation objectives captured from subject matter experts, prioritizing those objectives in a cyber risk management decision model to help risk managers in the decision process by taking into account multiple real scenarios, developing the baseline of cyber risk management principles to form a cyber risk strategy applicable and adaptable to current organizations and finally evaluating the business benefits of security investments to mitigate cyber risks in a continuous improvement approach. Two theoretical frameworks are combined to address the full cyber risk management lifecycle: value focused thinking guides the decision process and benefits management ensures that business benefits are realized during project implementation, after the decision is taken to invest in a security solution to mitigate cyber risk.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementation of ISO Frameworks to Risk Management in IPv6 Security

The Internet of Things is a technology wave sweeping across various industries and sectors. It promises to improve productivity and efficiency by providing new services and data to users. However, the full potential of this technology is still not realized due to the transition to IPv6 as a backbone. Despite the security assurances that IPv6 provides, privacy and concerns about the Internet of Things remain. This is why it is important that organizations thoroughly understand the protocol and its migration to ensure that they are equipped to take advantage of its many benefits. Due to the lack of available IPv4 addresses, organizations are in an uncertain situation when it comes to implementing IoT technologies. The other aim is to fill in the gaps left by the ISO to identify and classify the risks that are not yet apparent. The thesis seeks to establish and implement the use of ISO to manage risks. It will also help to align security efforts with organizational goals. The proposed solution is evaluated through a survey that is designed to gather feedback from various levels of security and risk management professionals. The suggested modifications are also included in the study. A survey on the implementation of ISO frameworks to risk management in IPv6 was conducted and with results as shown in the random sampling technique that was used for conducting the research a total of 75 questionnaires were shared online, 50 respondents returned responses online through emails and social media platforms. The result of the analysis shows that system admin has the highest pooling 26% of all the overall participants, followed by network admin with 20%, then cybersecurity specialists with 16%. 14% of the respondents were network architects while senior management and risk management professionals were 4% and 2% respectively. The majority of the respondents agreed that risk treatment enhances the risk management performance of the IPv6 network resulting from the proper selection and implementation of correct risk prevention strategies

Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for Critical Infrastructures Security

Modern critical infrastructures can be considered as large scale Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). Therefore, when designing, implementing, and operating systems for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), the boundaries between physical security and cybersecurity are blurred. Emerging systems for Critical Infrastructures Security and Protection must therefore consider integrated approaches that emphasize the interplay between cybersecurity and physical security techniques. Hence, there is a need for a new type of integrated security intelligence i.e., Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence (CPTI). This book presents novel solutions for integrated Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for infrastructures in various sectors, such as Industrial Sites and Plants, Air Transport, Gas, Healthcare, and Finance. The solutions rely on novel methods and technologies, such as integrated modelling for cyber-physical systems, novel reliance indicators, and data driven approaches including BigData analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the presented approaches are sector agnostic i.e., applicable to different sectors with a fair customization effort. Nevertheless, the book presents also peculiar challenges of specific sectors and how they can be addressed. The presented solutions consider the European policy context for Security, Cyber security, and Critical Infrastructure protection, as laid out by the European Commission (EC) to support its Member States to protect and ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructures. Most of the co-authors and contributors are from European Research and Technology Organizations, as well as from European Critical Infrastructure Operators. Hence, the presented solutions respect the European approach to CIP, as reflected in the pillars of the European policy framework. The latter includes for example the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive), the Directive on protecting European Critical Infrastructures, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Cybersecurity Act Regulation. The sector specific solutions that are described in the book have been developed and validated in the scope of several European Commission (EC) co-funded projects on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which focus on the listed sectors. Overall, the book illustrates a rich set of systems, technologies, and applications that critical infrastructure operators could consult to shape their future strategies. It also provides a catalogue of CPTI case studies in different sectors, which could be useful for security consultants and practitioners as well

Networked world: Risks and opportunities in the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) – devices that are connected to the Internet and collect and use data to operate – is about to transform society. Everything from smart fridges and lightbulbs to remote sensors and cities will collect data that can be analysed and used to provide a wealth of bespoke products and services. The impacts will be huge - by 2020, some 25 billion devices will be connected to the Internet with some studies estimating this number will rise to 125 billion in 2030. These will include many things that have never been connected to the Internet before. Like all new technologies, IoT offers substantial new opportunities which must be considered in parallel with the new risks that come with it. To make sense of this new world, Lloyd’s worked with University College London’s (UCL) Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) and the PETRAS IoT Research Hub to publish this report. ‘Networked world’ analyses IoT’s opportunities, risks and regulatory landscape. It aims to help insurers understand potential exposures across marine, smart homes, water infrastructure and agriculture while highlighting the implications for insurance operations and product development. The report also helps risk managers assess how this technology could impact their businesses and consider how they can mitigate associated risks

Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for Critical Infrastructures Security

Modern critical infrastructures can be considered as large scale Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). Therefore, when designing, implementing, and operating systems for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), the boundaries between physical security and cybersecurity are blurred. Emerging systems for Critical Infrastructures Security and Protection must therefore consider integrated approaches that emphasize the interplay between cybersecurity and physical security techniques. Hence, there is a need for a new type of integrated security intelligence i.e., Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence (CPTI). This book presents novel solutions for integrated Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for infrastructures in various sectors, such as Industrial Sites and Plants, Air Transport, Gas, Healthcare, and Finance. The solutions rely on novel methods and technologies, such as integrated modelling for cyber-physical systems, novel reliance indicators, and data driven approaches including BigData analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the presented approaches are sector agnostic i.e., applicable to different sectors with a fair customization effort. Nevertheless, the book presents also peculiar challenges of specific sectors and how they can be addressed. The presented solutions consider the European policy context for Security, Cyber security, and Critical Infrastructure protection, as laid out by the European Commission (EC) to support its Member States to protect and ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructures. Most of the co-authors and contributors are from European Research and Technology Organizations, as well as from European Critical Infrastructure Operators. Hence, the presented solutions respect the European approach to CIP, as reflected in the pillars of the European policy framework. The latter includes for example the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive), the Directive on protecting European Critical Infrastructures, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Cybersecurity Act Regulation. The sector specific solutions that are described in the book have been developed and validated in the scope of several European Commission (EC) co-funded projects on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which focus on the listed sectors. Overall, the book illustrates a rich set of systems, technologies, and applications that critical infrastructure operators could consult to shape their future strategies. It also provides a catalogue of CPTI case studies in different sectors, which could be useful for security consultants and practitioners as well

An Integrated Cybersecurity Risk Management (I-CSRM) Framework for Critical Infrastructure Protection

Risk management plays a vital role in tackling cyber threats within the Cyber-Physical System (CPS) for overall system resilience. It enables identifying critical assets, vulnerabilities, and threats and determining suitable proactive control measures to tackle the risks. However, due to the increased complexity of the CPS, cyber-attacks nowadays are more sophisticated and less predictable, which makes risk management task more challenging. This research aims for an effective Cyber Security Risk Management (CSRM) practice using assets criticality, predication of risk types and evaluating the effectiveness of existing controls. We follow a number of techniques for the proposed unified approach including fuzzy set theory for the asset criticality, machine learning classifiers for the risk predication and Comprehensive Assessment Model (CAM) for evaluating the effectiveness of the existing controls. The proposed approach considers relevant CSRM concepts such as threat actor attack pattern, Tactic, Technique and Procedure (TTP), controls and assets and maps these concepts with the VERIS community dataset (VCDB) features for the purpose of risk predication. Also, the tool serves as an additional component of the proposed framework that enables asset criticality, risk and control effectiveness calculation for a continuous risk assessment. Lastly, the thesis employs a case study to validate the proposed i-CSRM framework and i-CSRMT in terms of applicability. Stakeholder feedback is collected and evaluated using critical criteria such as ease of use, relevance, and usability. The analysis results illustrate the validity and acceptability of both the framework and tool for an effective risk management practice within a real-world environment. The experimental results reveal that using the fuzzy set theory in assessing assets' criticality, supports stakeholder for an effective risk management practice. Furthermore, the results have demonstrated the machine learning classifiers’ have shown exemplary performance in predicting different risk types including denial of service, cyber espionage, and Crimeware. An accurate prediction can help organisations model uncertainty with machine learning classifiers, detect frequent cyber-attacks, affected assets, risk types, and employ the necessary corrective actions for its mitigations. Lastly, to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing controls, the CAM approach is used, and the result shows that some controls such as network intrusion, authentication, and anti-virus show high efficacy in controlling or reducing risks. Evaluating control effectiveness helps organisations to know how effective the controls are in reducing or preventing any form of risk before an attack occurs. Also, organisations can implement new controls earlier. The main advantage of using the CAM approach is that the parameters used are objective, consistent and applicable to CPS

Towards an aligned South African National Cybersecurity Policy Framework

This thesis measured and aligned factors that contribute to the misalignment of the South African National Cybersecurity Policy Framework (SA-NCPF). The exponential growth rate of cyber-attacks and threats has caused more headaches for cybersecurity experts, law enforcement agents, organisations and the global business economy. The emergence of the global Corona Virus Disease-2019 has also contributed to the growth of cyber-attacks and threats thus, requiring concerted efforts from everyone in society to devise appropriate interventions that mitigate unacceptable user behaviour in the reality of cyberspace. In this study, various theories were identified and pooled together into an integrative theoretical framework to provide a better understanding of various aspects of the law-making process more comprehensively. The study identified nine influencing factors that contributed to misalignment of the South African National Cybersecurity Policy Framework. These influencing factors interact with each other continuously producing complex relationships, therefore, it is difficult to measure the degree of influence of each factor, hence the need to look at and measure the relationships as Gestalts. Gestalts view individual interactions between pairs of constructs only as a part of the overall pattern. Therefore, the integrative theoretical framework and Gestalts approach were used to develop a conceptual framework to measure the degree of alignment of influencing factors. This study proposed that the stronger the coherence among the influencing factors, the more aligned the South African National Security Policy Framework. The more coherent the SA-NCPF is perceived, the greater would be the degree of alignment of the country's cybersecurity framework to national, regional and global cyberlaws. Respondents that perceived a strong coherence among the elements also perceived an effective SA-NCPF. Empirically, this proposition was tested using nine constructs. Quantitative data was gathered from respondents using a survey. A major contribution of this study was that it was the first attempt in South Africa to measure the alignment of the SA-NCPF using the Gestalts approach as an effective approach for measuring complex relationships. The study developed the integrative theoretical framework which integrates various theories that helped to understand and explain the South African law making process. The study also made a significant methodological contribution by adopting the Cluster-based perspective to distinguish, describe and predict the degree of alignment of the SA-NCPF. There is a dearth of information that suggests that past studies have adopted or attempted to address the challenge of alignment of the SA-NCPF using the cluster-based and Gestalts perspectives. Practical implications from the study include a review of the law-making process, skills development strategy, a paradigm shift to address the global Covid-19 pandemic and sophisticated cybercrimes simultaneously. The study asserted the importance of establishing an independent cybersecurity board comprising courts, legal, cybersecurity experts, academics and law-makers to provide cybersecurity expertise and advice. From the research findings, government and practitioners can draw lessons to review the NCPF to ensure the country develops an effective national cybersecurity strategy. Limitations and recommendations for future research conclude the discussions of this study

Secure portable execution and storage environments: A capability to improve security for remote working

Remote working is a practice that provides economic benefits to both the employing organisation and the individual. However, evidence suggests that organisations implementing remote working have limited appreciation of the security risks, particularly those impacting upon the confidentiality and integrity of information and also on the integrity and availability of the remote worker’s computing environment. Other research suggests that an organisation that does appreciate these risks may veto remote working, resulting in a loss of economic benefits. With the implementation of high speed broadband, remote working is forecast to grow and therefore it is appropriate that improved approaches to managing security risks are researched. This research explores the use of secure portable execution and storage environments (secure PESEs) to improve information security for the remote work categories of telework, and mobile and deployed working. This thesis with publication makes an original contribution to improving remote work information security through the development of a body of knowledge (consisting of design models and design instantiations) and the assertion of a nascent design theory. The research was conducted using design science research (DSR), a paradigm where the research philosophies are grounded in design and construction. Following an assessment of both the remote work information security issues and threats, and preparation of a set of functional requirements, a secure PESE concept was defined. The concept is represented by a set of attributes that encompass the security properties of preserving the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the computing environment and data. A computing environment that conforms to the concept is considered to be a secure PESE, the implementation of which consists of a highly portable device utilising secure storage and an up-loadable (on to a PC) secure execution environment. The secure storage and execution environment combine to address the information security risks in the remote work location. A research gap was identified as no existing ‘secure PESE like’ device fully conformed to the concept, enabling a research problem and objectives to be defined. Novel secure storage and execution environments were developed and used to construct a secure PESE suitable for commercial remote work and a high assurance secure PESE suitable for security critical remote work. The commercial secure PESE was trialled with an existing telework team looking to improve security and the high assurance secure PESE was trialled within an organisation that had previously vetoed remote working due to the sensitivity of the data it processed. An evaluation of the research findings found that the objectives had been satisfied. Using DSR evaluation frameworks it was determined that the body of knowledge had improved an area of study with sufficient evidence generated to assert a nascent design theory for secure PESEs. The thesis highlights the limitations of the research while opportunities for future work are also identified. This thesis presents ten published papers coupled with additional doctoral research (that was not published) which postulates the research argument that ‘secure PESEs can be used to manage information security risks within the remote work environment’