Are we asking too much of existing industrial control systems?

Aug. 29, 2011
If you ask users of industrial control system if they meet their design and performance requirements, I think you will find the answer is a resounding yes.  However, if you ask security personnel if they are secure, you will probably get a resounding no. What needs to be understood is that control systems do a very good job of what they were designed to do – performance - but a poor job of not doing what they weren’t designed to do - security (notice the double negative). Unfortunately, bolting on security can, and has, caused unforeseen problems.
If you ask users of industrial control system if they meet their design and performance requirements, I think you will find the answer is a resounding yes.  However, if you ask security personnel if they are secure, you will probably get a resounding no. What needs to be understood is that control systems do a very good job of what they were designed to do – performance - but a poor job of not doing what they weren’t designed to do - security (notice the double negative). Unfortunately, bolting on security can, and has, caused unforeseen problems.  Moreover, it is not clear these bolt-on security solutions have actually provided additional security. I continue to believe control system cyber security is primarily a “people problem”. Until the culture changes from the top down and appropriate control system policies and procedures are developed, I see little chance to significantly improve cyber security of industrial control systems.
Joe Weiss 

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