Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems?
What is the primary focus of intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems?
- Event monitoring and log collection (correct)
- Active defense
- Security frameworks and policies
- Network architecture design
What is the purpose of having a 'pane of glass' in incident response and forensics?
What is the purpose of having a 'pane of glass' in incident response and forensics?
- To analyze network architecture design
- To monitor network traffic
- To have a centralized view of security events (correct)
- To collect logs from multiple devices
What is the focus of security frameworks mentioned in the content?
What is the focus of security frameworks mentioned in the content?
- Technology implementation
- Incident response and forensics
- Network architecture design
- Policies and procedures (correct)
What type of firewalls are mentioned in the content?
What type of firewalls are mentioned in the content?
Why are buffer networks, demilitarized zones (DMZs), and network segmentation important?
Why are buffer networks, demilitarized zones (DMZs), and network segmentation important?
What is a concern when sharing active directory between SCADA and corporate networks?
What is a concern when sharing active directory between SCADA and corporate networks?
What is the primary benefit of having a 'single pane of glass' in security monitoring?
What is the primary benefit of having a 'single pane of glass' in security monitoring?
Why is it important to learn from other people's mistakes in network design?
Why is it important to learn from other people's mistakes in network design?
What is the primary focus of the discussion on network design?
What is the primary focus of the discussion on network design?
Why is it important to consider third-party access to SCADA information?
Why is it important to consider third-party access to SCADA information?
What is the primary focus of the first module discussed in the content?
What is the primary focus of the first module discussed in the content?
What is the significance of network segmentation in SCADA security architecture?
What is the significance of network segmentation in SCADA security architecture?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a security solution to be layered onto the network architecture?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a security solution to be layered onto the network architecture?
What is the primary concern regarding remote user access to SCADA systems?
What is the primary concern regarding remote user access to SCADA systems?
What is the primary focus of the second module discussed in the content?
What is the primary focus of the second module discussed in the content?
Which of the following is NOT a typical topic discussed regarding SCADA architecture?
Which of the following is NOT a typical topic discussed regarding SCADA architecture?
Why is it important to properly qualify users before allowing them to make remote changes to a SCADA system?
Why is it important to properly qualify users before allowing them to make remote changes to a SCADA system?
What type of technologies are included in the 'detective technologies' mentioned in the content?
What type of technologies are included in the 'detective technologies' mentioned in the content?
What was the main reason for deploying wireless connectivity in certain areas?
What was the main reason for deploying wireless connectivity in certain areas?
What was done after successfully deploying wireless connectivity for one pilot site?
What was done after successfully deploying wireless connectivity for one pilot site?
What was sent to a centralized security event management device?
What was sent to a centralized security event management device?
When did NERC SIP become law?
When did NERC SIP become law?
What was the first type of traffic to go over IP in the electric utility industry?
What was the first type of traffic to go over IP in the electric utility industry?
Why was IP convergence a concern in the electric utility industry?
Why was IP convergence a concern in the electric utility industry?
What type of infrastructure was already in place in the electric utility industry?
What type of infrastructure was already in place in the electric utility industry?
Why was a separate firewall put at each substation?
Why was a separate firewall put at each substation?
What was a challenge in ensuring the security of SCADA equipment at offshore facilities?
What was a challenge in ensuring the security of SCADA equipment at offshore facilities?
What was shared with the corporate network at offshore facilities?
What was shared with the corporate network at offshore facilities?
Why was a remote firewall used for the SCADA system?
Why was a remote firewall used for the SCADA system?
What was the primary security concern with the local Wi-Fi connectivity at the compressor sites?
What was the primary security concern with the local Wi-Fi connectivity at the compressor sites?
What security measure was implemented to address the vulnerability of the Wi-Fi network?
What security measure was implemented to address the vulnerability of the Wi-Fi network?
What was the purpose of routing Wi-Fi traffic to the dirty side of the corporate firewall?
What was the purpose of routing Wi-Fi traffic to the dirty side of the corporate firewall?
What type of authentication system was used for Wi-Fi users?
What type of authentication system was used for Wi-Fi users?
What was the primary reason for using VLANs for separating traffic?
What was the primary reason for using VLANs for separating traffic?
What type of VPN tunnel was used between the remote firewall and the central control room?
What type of VPN tunnel was used between the remote firewall and the central control room?
What security principle was applied to the Wi-Fi network?
What security principle was applied to the Wi-Fi network?
What type of network devices were used at each compressor site to separate traffic?
What type of network devices were used at each compressor site to separate traffic?
Which of the following security measures was NOT implemented for the SCADA system?
Which of the following security measures was NOT implemented for the SCADA system?
What is the main purpose of an access point in the electronic security perimeter?
What is the main purpose of an access point in the electronic security perimeter?
Why is it important to have an access control point for dial-up access?
Why is it important to have an access control point for dial-up access?
What is the concept of an electronic security perimeter?
What is the concept of an electronic security perimeter?
Why did the water company want to adhere to the ISA standards?
Why did the water company want to adhere to the ISA standards?
What was done to secure the water company's infrastructure?
What was done to secure the water company's infrastructure?
Why is virtualization through VLANs considered a compromise?
Why is virtualization through VLANs considered a compromise?
Why is the speaker not comfortable with leveraging a corporate VMware deployment for SCADA systems?
Why is the speaker not comfortable with leveraging a corporate VMware deployment for SCADA systems?
What is a concern with sharing active directory between SCADA and corporate networks?
What is a concern with sharing active directory between SCADA and corporate networks?
What is the purpose of having different VLANs for different functional areas?
What is the purpose of having different VLANs for different functional areas?
Why are access points necessary at the boundary between the corporate network and critical cyber assets?
Why are access points necessary at the boundary between the corporate network and critical cyber assets?
What was a common issue faced by organizations regarding their SCADA and IT networks in the early 2000s?
What was a common issue faced by organizations regarding their SCADA and IT networks in the early 2000s?
What solution was proposed to alleviate the network performance issues in the water wastewater treatment facility?
What solution was proposed to alleviate the network performance issues in the water wastewater treatment facility?
Why did system integrators prefer to use the existing corporate network in the late 1990s for SCADA systems?
Why did system integrators prefer to use the existing corporate network in the late 1990s for SCADA systems?
What was deployed at each building in the water facility to create a separate process control network?
What was deployed at each building in the water facility to create a separate process control network?
How did the implementation of a separate process control zone impact the water facility's system performance?
How did the implementation of a separate process control zone impact the water facility's system performance?
What type of devices were connected to the protected SCADA switches in the water facility?
What type of devices were connected to the protected SCADA switches in the water facility?
What was a key feature of the SCADA systems in the facilities mentioned in the content?
What was a key feature of the SCADA systems in the facilities mentioned in the content?
What challenge did the pipeline company face regarding its existing corporate network?
What challenge did the pipeline company face regarding its existing corporate network?
What network technology trend began emerging in the mid-1990s that influenced SCADA system integration?
What network technology trend began emerging in the mid-1990s that influenced SCADA system integration?
What was the purpose of having a CA firewall at the central control room in the pipeline company?
What was the purpose of having a CA firewall at the central control room in the pipeline company?
What was the initial reason for clients to start implementing firewalls between their corporate networks and their industrial control systems (ICS) networks?
What was the initial reason for clients to start implementing firewalls between their corporate networks and their industrial control systems (ICS) networks?
What was the primary issue with the early implementation of firewalls between corporate and ICS networks?
What was the primary issue with the early implementation of firewalls between corporate and ICS networks?
What is a 'firewall sandwich' in the context of network segmentation?
What is a 'firewall sandwich' in the context of network segmentation?
What is the primary purpose of a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the context of network segmentation?
What is the primary purpose of a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the context of network segmentation?
What is the main benefit of having two different firewalls managing the DMZ, one by the corporate group and one by the operations group?
What is the main benefit of having two different firewalls managing the DMZ, one by the corporate group and one by the operations group?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using network segmentation techniques in SCADA systems?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using network segmentation techniques in SCADA systems?
What is the analogy used in the content to illustrate the importance of network segmentation?
What is the analogy used in the content to illustrate the importance of network segmentation?
What is the primary objective of applying network segmentation techniques to SCADA systems?
What is the primary objective of applying network segmentation techniques to SCADA systems?
What is the concept of 'firewall diversity' mentioned in the content?
What is the concept of 'firewall diversity' mentioned in the content?
Which of the following is a key aspect of network segmentation in SCADA systems, as described in the content?
Which of the following is a key aspect of network segmentation in SCADA systems, as described in the content?
What is the primary purpose of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in a SCADA network?
What is the primary purpose of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in a SCADA network?
What is the function of an OPC server in a SCADA network?
What is the function of an OPC server in a SCADA network?
How does a firewall sandwich design differ from a single firewall with multiple interfaces for a DMZ?
How does a firewall sandwich design differ from a single firewall with multiple interfaces for a DMZ?
Which of the following security measures can be implemented in a DMZ to enhance SCADA network security?
Which of the following security measures can be implemented in a DMZ to enhance SCADA network security?
What is the purpose of a data historian in a SCADA network?
What is the purpose of a data historian in a SCADA network?
What is a key advantage of using a single firewall with multiple interfaces for a DMZ?
What is a key advantage of using a single firewall with multiple interfaces for a DMZ?
Which of the following protocols is commonly used by IO servers to communicate with field devices?
Which of the following protocols is commonly used by IO servers to communicate with field devices?
Why is it important to restrict access to the data historian in a SCADA network?
Why is it important to restrict access to the data historian in a SCADA network?
What is the purpose of a frontend processor in a SCADA network?
What is the purpose of a frontend processor in a SCADA network?
What is the significance of having two firewalls in a failover mode in a firewall sandwich design?
What is the significance of having two firewalls in a failover mode in a firewall sandwich design?
What is the main security risk associated with contractors connecting to the same switches on a platform?
What is the main security risk associated with contractors connecting to the same switches on a platform?
What is a significant issue with using a VPN tunnel over satellite communications?
What is a significant issue with using a VPN tunnel over satellite communications?
What was the operations manager's assumption when requesting IP addresses?
What was the operations manager's assumption when requesting IP addresses?
What led to the facility being vulnerable to external access?
What led to the facility being vulnerable to external access?
What solution was often implemented to address the communication issues at offshore facilities?
What solution was often implemented to address the communication issues at offshore facilities?
Why was the operation supervisor's action of requesting a DSL connection seen as problematic?
Why was the operation supervisor's action of requesting a DSL connection seen as problematic?
What was a common misconception held by the operations manager regarding his facility's network security?
What was a common misconception held by the operations manager regarding his facility's network security?
What is a major consequence of not having a localized firewall in a facility with internet-connected devices?
What is a major consequence of not having a localized firewall in a facility with internet-connected devices?
What characteristic of satellite systems complicates VPN communications?
What characteristic of satellite systems complicates VPN communications?
What lesson can be learned from the operations manager's experience with unsolicited internet access?
What lesson can be learned from the operations manager's experience with unsolicited internet access?
What was the primary function of the second firewall in the discussed network setup?
What was the primary function of the second firewall in the discussed network setup?
How much was spent on firewalls and their configuration in the described network architecture?
How much was spent on firewalls and their configuration in the described network architecture?
Which standard imposes specific requirements on the electric power industry regarding electronic security perimeters?
Which standard imposes specific requirements on the electric power industry regarding electronic security perimeters?
What type of network connection is typically used to give remote users access to their corporate systems?
What type of network connection is typically used to give remote users access to their corporate systems?
What was noted as essential for the chemical industry concerning process control systems after an incident?
What was noted as essential for the chemical industry concerning process control systems after an incident?
What does the ISA level segmentation in network architecture help to achieve?
What does the ISA level segmentation in network architecture help to achieve?
What is a significant risk that was mitigated by utilizing the described firewall strategy?
What is a significant risk that was mitigated by utilizing the described firewall strategy?
What is a typical component found in a corporate infrastructure for plant operations?
What is a typical component found in a corporate infrastructure for plant operations?
Which of the following environments must be properly segmented according to the content discussed?
Which of the following environments must be properly segmented according to the content discussed?
What is the primary risk identified when a plant historian is directly connected to both the corporate network and the plant control system?
What is the primary risk identified when a plant historian is directly connected to both the corporate network and the plant control system?
What security measure was implemented to mitigate the risk of the plant historian being a bridge between the corporate network and the plant control system?
What security measure was implemented to mitigate the risk of the plant historian being a bridge between the corporate network and the plant control system?
What kind of firewall devices were utilized in the described network setup?
What kind of firewall devices were utilized in the described network setup?
Why is it important to prevent foreign accounts from being established on engineering workstations in a Delta VDCS environment?
Why is it important to prevent foreign accounts from being established on engineering workstations in a Delta VDCS environment?
What is the primary reason for separating SCADA and corporate systems into separate virtualized environments?
What is the primary reason for separating SCADA and corporate systems into separate virtualized environments?
What is the significance of the discovery of over 30 unknown accounts on the plant historian?
What is the significance of the discovery of over 30 unknown accounts on the plant historian?
What is the primary security concern associated with the use of a plant historian that is dual-homed on both the corporate network and the plant control system?
What is the primary security concern associated with the use of a plant historian that is dual-homed on both the corporate network and the plant control system?
Why is it important to restrict access to engineering workstations in a SCADA environment?
Why is it important to restrict access to engineering workstations in a SCADA environment?
What is the primary benefit of separating SCADA and corporate systems into separate virtualized environments?
What is the primary benefit of separating SCADA and corporate systems into separate virtualized environments?
What is the primary reason for the creation of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in this scenario?
What is the primary reason for the creation of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in this scenario?
What is the primary security concern regarding the discovery of foreign accounts on the engineering workstation in a Delta VDCS environment?
What is the primary security concern regarding the discovery of foreign accounts on the engineering workstation in a Delta VDCS environment?
What was the primary action taken to limit access to the control system?
What was the primary action taken to limit access to the control system?
Why was it necessary to move the plant historian off the corporate network?
Why was it necessary to move the plant historian off the corporate network?
How was traffic routed from the DCS environments to the centralized DMZ?
How was traffic routed from the DCS environments to the centralized DMZ?
What role do redundant firewalls play in the system architecture?
What role do redundant firewalls play in the system architecture?
What was one of the considerations for incorporating a DMZ in the infrastructure?
What was one of the considerations for incorporating a DMZ in the infrastructure?
What was the challenge associated with using the corporate network for DCS systems?
What was the challenge associated with using the corporate network for DCS systems?
What was removed from the pro plus machine as part of the security measures?
What was removed from the pro plus machine as part of the security measures?
What technology was primarily used to replace the need for a separate network?
What technology was primarily used to replace the need for a separate network?
What was the established purpose for a terminal or Citrix server in the DMZ?
What was the established purpose for a terminal or Citrix server in the DMZ?
What benefit comes from using a centralized DMZ for security updates?
What benefit comes from using a centralized DMZ for security updates?
What is a recommended practice when updating industrial control systems?
What is a recommended practice when updating industrial control systems?
Why should industrial control systems not be directly connected to the internet?
Why should industrial control systems not be directly connected to the internet?
What is the role of a WS server in a corporate network related to industrial controls?
What is the role of a WS server in a corporate network related to industrial controls?
What is a disadvantage of automatically updating systems in industrial environments?
What is a disadvantage of automatically updating systems in industrial environments?
What is a benefit of using a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in network architecture?
What is a benefit of using a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in network architecture?
What should not be done with antivirus updates in an industrial control system?
What should not be done with antivirus updates in an industrial control system?
Which approach reduces the risk associated with patches and updates in control systems?
Which approach reduces the risk associated with patches and updates in control systems?
What is a potential issue with patching multiple devices simultaneously in industrial systems?
What is a potential issue with patching multiple devices simultaneously in industrial systems?
Why is staged access recommended in secure network architecture?
Why is staged access recommended in secure network architecture?
Which strategy is advised for transferring updates into industrial control systems?
Which strategy is advised for transferring updates into industrial control systems?
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Study Notes
Setting Up Network Infrastructure
- Importance of establishing strong network infrastructure to create secure perimeters before implementing additional security solutions.
- Initial focus on network segmentation in SCADA security architecture.
Network Segmentation and Architecture
- Discuss the creation of demilitarized zones (DMZs) within network architecture.
- Placement strategies for antivirus, patching, Active Directory, and data historians.
- Addressing concerns about remote access and secure authentication of remote users into SCADA systems.
Security Technologies
- Transition from active defense to detection involving Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS).
- Importance of event monitoring and log aggregation for enhanced incident response and forensics.
- Overview of security frameworks: NERC, SIP, DHS, CFA, ISA 99, and their role in establishing security controls.
Emerging Technologies in Security
- Questions from clients regarding Tofino firewalls, data diodes, hardened switches, and other industrial firewall technologies.
- Discussion on how these technologies assist in reinforcing security in SCADA environments.
Management Deliverables
- Emphasis on creating comprehensive documentation for security findings to effectively communicate with senior management.
Lessons from Poor Network Designs
- Examination of outdated network designs where SCADA and corporate IT networks co-existed, leading to performance issues.
- Example of a water utility where the lack of segmentation between IT and SCADA networks caused significant operational delays.
Successful Network Segmentation
- Implementation of firewalls and protected SCADA switches to achieve segmentation between corporate IT and SCADA networks.
- Improvement in system performance following the separation of traffic.
Secure Connectivity in Remote Sites
- Use of IPSec VPN tunnels for secure communication between compressor sites and central control rooms over a corporate WAN.
- Challenges of integrating local Wi-Fi and the necessity for layered security to mitigate wireless vulnerabilities.
Electrical Utility Example
- Adoption of IP connectivity for substations leading to increased traffic and security concerns.
- Deployment of firewalls to maintain separation between SCADA and corporate traffic using layer two tunneling techniques.
Offshore Facility Security
- Necessity of localized firewalls on offshore platforms to prevent infection from potential threats by contractors using communal switches.
- Issues with establishing VPN tunnels over satellite connections due to high latency.
Notable Security Failures
- Review of a facility with all devices directly connected to the internet, highlighting poor configurations and lack of firewall protections.
- Insights into the challenges faced when resources are not localized, impacting operational security.### Internet and Industrial Networks
- Initial challenges included a carrier not providing a required MPLS circuit, leading to frustration among staff.
- An operations supervisor sought a DSL connection from AT&T without understanding the distinction between public and private IP addresses.
- The excitement of remote monitoring led to a lack of awareness regarding network security, exposing the SCADA system to the public internet.
Security Concerns and Solutions
- By 2005-2006, clients experienced significant cyber threats, prompting awareness of network vulnerabilities.
- Incidents like the SQL Slammer worm highlighted the risks of flat networks shared with corporate networks.
- Implementing firewalls became essential; however, many organizations maintained overly simplistic flat network architectures.
Network Architecture and Segmentation
- Importance of network segmentation in enhancing security, akin to submarines having compartments to contain damage.
- Two firewall designs: "firewall sandwich" with two firewalls or a single firewall with multiple interfaces to form a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
- Each firewall manages different traffic flows; this ensures layered security between corporate and industrial control systems.
Firewall Implementation
- Best practice involves placing a DMZ between corporate networks and SCADA systems, creating controlled and monitored access.
- Creating rules in firewalls can restrict access between corporate users and SCADA networks, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and attack surfaces.
Industry Trends and Standards
- Various industries, such as electric power and chemical sectors, have standards (NERC C 0 0 5 and DHS chemical facility standards) governing the security of industrial control systems.
- Access points must enforce challenge-response mechanisms and logging for transitions between networks to ensure accountability and security.
Virtualization and Network Security
- Concerns exist around using shared virtual environments for disparate trust levels; SCADA systems should remain strictly separated from corporate systems.
- Ideal setup involves distinct virtual platforms for SCADA and corporate environments, limiting risk from potential breaches.
Case Study: Chemical Industry Vulnerabilities
- A facility claimed no connections between corporate and plant networks; however, a plant historian was unexpectedly dual-homed, representing a significant risk.
- The existence of numerous unaccounted accounts on the historian underscored vulnerabilities, as domain administrators from corporate networks could access critical systems without oversight.### Delta VDCS Environment Security
- A pro plus engineering workstation enables reconfiguration and can wipe all I/O and DCS controllers, risking facility shutdown.
- Unauthorized access could lead to inability to restart systems without restoring factory defaults, indicating a high security risk.
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Implementation
- Establishing a DMZ within the plant enhances security by isolating the plant historian from the corporate network while allowing necessary communication.
- A firewall was set up with strict rules, limiting the connections to the historian from the control network.
- Only one port was opened for logging data from application nodes to the historian, minimizing unauthorized access.
Mixed DCS Systems
- Chemical facilities often utilize multiple vendors for DCS systems, increasing complexity and security vulnerabilities.
- A previous setup had application nodes using the corporate network for routing, raising significant security risks.
Network Redesign and VPN Solutions
- Redundant firewalls and VPN tunnels were established to securely connect DCS environments to a centralized DMZ, ensuring controlled access.
- The restructuring allows corporate users to access the historian safely while maintaining isolation from critical control systems.
Additional Infrastructure in the DMZ
- The DMZ can accommodate various security infrastructure, such as antivirus servers for updates and terminal servers for technician access.
- Security assessments often reveal vulnerabilities, such as antivirus agents on industrial control systems accessing the internet directly, which undermines firewall protections.
Secure Architecture Principles
- Avoid direct network hops between different security levels to prevent unauthorized actions on critical control systems.
- Maintain staged authentication processes: Level four users must authenticate to level three before accessing level two or one.
Updating Security Software Safely
- Industrial control systems should not connect directly to the internet for updates; testing should precede any implementation of patches.
- A separate Windows update server within the DMZ ensures that updates are carefully controlled and tested before reaching critical systems.
Benefits of Multiple DMZs
- Having multiple DMZs can enhance security further by segregating functions; for instance, one DMZ for historians and another for antivirus updates.
- Specific rules can be applied to control interactions between different DMZs and the industrial control systems, leading to a more secure and manageable architecture.
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