Industrial control systems are at the heart of global manufacturing. In recent decades, industry has made many advances in productivity: first, the emergence of automation technologies; second, the introduction of networks from the management level to the field level based on standards (Ethernet, TCP/IP and ProfiNet/Interbus); and third, the introduction of operator control and monitoring devices based on Windows operating systems.
The use of standard solutions allows automation systems to be efficiently connected and their data used for comprehensive analysis. However, the improvements gained in terms of accessibility, efficiency and productivity should be accompanied by a high level of protection against attacks from both external and internal sources.
Industrial plants typically have a life expectancy of several decades. Automation should be the same, with some relatively simple, such as the PLCs that control work cells on the factory floor, and some more complex, such as the DCS in an oil refinery. others are extremely complex, such as the SCADA systems in mines that have more than 100,000 I/O points.
Like enterprise computing, industrial control systems have experienced a path from standalone systems to the modern, highly interconnected world of Ethernet, the Internet and cloud computing.
But while enterprise computing and even home computing began facing cyberattacks a decade ago, industrial control systems are lagging far behind. One of the main reasons for this is the significant difference in asset lifecycles in the enterprise computing and industrial control system spaces.
When it comes to IT components, the situation is very different. They are more likely to become obsolete than the plant itself. New components with greatly improved functionality are typically available in as little as six months. After five years or so at the most, this type of component not only reaches a depreciation point in terms of its value as an asset, but it is also technologically obsolete.
As a result, while enterprise IT manages to keep pace with cybersecurity, anti-virus, and cyberdefense by continually upgrading its systems, most industrial control systems rely on what many cybersecurity researchers refer to as "security by default".
In the field of production, switching to a different system is never easy. Over the years, a great deal of knowledge has been accumulated here in relation to process routines for automation equipment and control systems. This is where a company's expertise actually resides. When changes need to be made to a new system, it is a resource that must be maintained and protected at all costs.
Standardized processes and components stand the test of time. They prevent costly stand-alone solutions that are virtually impossible to update and maintain after a period of time. Internationally introduced standards can also act as a catalyst for chain development, bringing benefits to all users.
If we want to enjoy the benefits of standards, then we also have to put up with manufacturers' release and modeling policies. The more accessibility, compatibility and standardization these systems achieve, the more risk they face. The alternative is in-house development and stand-alone solutions that are disconnected and disconnected from technological advances.
The more important a role IT plays in the industry, the harder it is for companies to isolate themselves from global data exchanges. The risk of creating dangerous security breaches in their communication networks is also greater. That's why intrusion detection tools work around the clock in modern companies. Their goal is to prevent problems before they occur and to identify and eliminate any probes into the integrity of the network.
Only a security strategy that utilizes reliable expertise and is anchored in every stage of the e-business process from the very beginning can provide lasting protection. Without the use of automated processes and tools and a company-wide security strategy, this daunting task is difficult to accomplish. This makes choosing the right IT strategy decisive for business success. The only way to successfully protect the digital factory is to balance the competing demands of availability, timeliness, security, total cost of ownership, investment protection, compatibility and scalability.