Incident Analysis & Digital Forensics in SCADA and Industrial Control Systems

SCADA and industrial control systems have been traditionally isolated in physically protected environments. However, developments such as standardisation of data exchange protocols and increased use of IP, emerging wireless sensor networks and machine-to-machine communication mean that in the near future related threat vectors will require consideration too outside the scope of traditional SCADA security and incident response. In the light of the significance of SCADA for the resilience of critical infrastructures and the related targeted incidents against them (e.g. the development of stuxnet), cyber security and digital forensics emerge as priority areas. In this paper we focus on the latter, exploring the current capability of SCADA operators to analyse security incidents and develop situational awareness based on a robust digital evidence perspective. We look at the logging capabilities of a typical SCADA architecture and the analytical techniques and investigative tools that may help develop forensic readiness to the level of the current threat environment requirements. We also provide recommendations for data capture and retention

Hacking a bridge:An exploratory study of compliance-based information security management in banking organization

This work is approached through the lens of compliant security by drawing on the concepts of neutralization theory, a prominent postulation in the criminology domain and the 'big five' personality construct. This research is conducted based on a case study of ISO/IEC27001 Standard certified banks, to empirically evaluate the link between cybersecurity protocols violation and how employees rationalise security behaviour. We propose that compliance-based security has the propensity for a heightened sense of false security and vulnerability perception; by showing that systemic security violation in compliance-based security models can be explained by the level of linkages from the personality construct and the neutralization theory. Building on the survey responses from banking organization employees and the application of partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SME) analysis to test the hypotheses and validate survey samples, we draw a strong inference to support the importance of individual security scenario effect as a vital complementary element of compliance-based security. Based on our initial findings, conceptual principles and practical guidelines for reducing insider threats and improving employees' compliance is presented. We then suggest how information security protocol violations can be addressed in that context