Are remote connections to ICS here to stay?
Remote access is also preferable for ongoing management of ICS located at remote field sites because it enables one technician to manage several sites, maximizing his/her efficiency. So remote connections into ICS are here to stay.
Why do industrial control systems need remote access?
These industrial control systems (ICS) need the ability to provide secure and non-disruptive access to their system components and information for authorized personnel — from systems operators and maintenance engineers, to field technicians and managed service providers. Needs, Challenges and Risks of Today’s Remote Access Approaches
What is a remote access solution?
Plus, a remote access solution simplifies the process of making data available to regulatory agencies when requested. As oil fields continue to become more connected, data is created at a faster rate than ever before – making a remote access solution the perfect choice for those who are struggling with data storage scalability and/or accommodation.
How can I improve remote connectivity for my OT staff?
Remote connectivity for OT staff should require two separate steps: a VPN connection into the ICS DMZ, followed by a second connection using hardened Remote Desktop (RD) via a jump host (or jump server) that provides carefully controlled, role-based access into OT systems.
What does ICS mean in cyber security?
Industrial Control SystemsNIST's Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security helps industry strengthen the cybersecurity of its computer-controlled systems.
What is an ICS network?
ICS are command and control networks and systems designed to support industrial processes. The largest subgroup of ICS is SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
What is an ICS device?
ICS assets are the digital devices that are used in industrial processes. This includes all of the various components of critical infrastructure (power grid, water treatment, etc.), manufacturing, and similar applications. A number of different devices are classified as ICS.
What is the difference between ICS and Scada?
I use both terms together because SCADA is often better known by the press, government officials and the public, but ICS is probably the technically correct term to use if you are referring to industrial automation of all types. Traditionally “SCADA” is used for control systems that cover a wide geographic area.
Why do we need ICS?
Industrial control systems provide the components that ensure proper and continuous operation of a wide range of industrial systems – from power to water to manufacturing and beyond. They provide control over the inputs and outputs of key elements in an operational or physical process.
What is ICS Risk?
The Next Level of Advanced ICS Security Course The risk is something that every organisation must face on their business operations. These risk may include operations risk, financial risk, safety risk, environmental risk, etc.
What are the main elements of a typical ICS system?
Components of an ICS. Figure 1 shows the basic components and operation of an ICS. A typical ICS contains several control loops, remote diagnostics, maintenance tools, and human interfaces built on layered network architectures using an array of network protocols.
What is OTS security in DCS?
Operational Technology (OT) is hardware and software that detects or causes a change through the direct monitoring and/or control of physical devices, processes and events in the enterprise, according to Gartner. OT is common in Industrial Control Systems (ICS) such as a SCADA System.
Is SCADA is a OT network?
What is OT/ICS/SCADA - Operational Technology, Industrial Control Systems and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems? Operational technology (OT) represents systems that are used to monitor and manage the manufacturing equipment or industrial process assets of an organization.
What is ICS DMZ?
Up-to-date security patches and anti-malware updates for both the plant IT system and the ICS. The DMZ is a buffer zone between the plant network and the ICS through which all traffic to the ICS must pass. It should be protected on both sides by firewalls with restrictive rule sets.
What is an example of an industrial control system?
For example, a PLC may control the flow of cooling water through part of an industrial process to a set point level, but the SCADA system software will allow operators to change the set points for the flow. The SCADA also enables alarm conditions, such as loss of flow or high temperature, to be displayed and recorded.
How many ICS are there?
Sir Simon Stevens confirmed 11 more parts of the country will be formally designated “integrated care systems” (ICS) from December 2020 serving a combined population of 14.5 million people. In all, there are now 29 ICSs covering more than 35 million people in England, more than 60 per cent of the population.
What is the full form of ICS?
The full form of ICS is Internet Connection Sharing. ICS is an abbreviation of Internet connection sharing, which is a kind of window service. It is an operating system developed by Microsoft. This service allows one Internet-connected computer to distribute its Internet connection with other computer networks.
What is industrial control technology?
Industrial Control Technologists are passionate about machines and appreciate the mechanics of production. They stay updated on the latest industrial hardware and software. You'll learn how to repair, maintain, calibrate, adjust and install industrial measuring and control equipment.
What is ICS in Texas?
ICS is a Texas-based 40-year-old technology company specializing in Managed IT, VoIP, Video Conferencing and Video Surveillance solutions for US and International businesses. ICS has over 4000 regional installations and specializes in multi-site businesses between 25 and 2500 employees. ICS’s customers enjoy the experience of ICS’s Total Care program which provides clients flat fee services with obsolescence and growth protection. Whether a customer elects to deploy their IT, Video Conferencing or VoIP in the cloud or on the customer’s premise, ICS can provide a full turn-key solution for our clients under one flat monthly fee.
Why use remote access?
Plus, a remote access solution simplifies the process of making data available to regulatory agencies when requested. As oil fields continue to become more connected, data is created at a faster rate than ever before – making a remote access solution the perfect choice for those who are struggling with data storage scalability and/or accommodation.
How much data does an oilfield generate?
Consider this… A single drilling rig at an oilfield can generate a TON of data – in the realm of terabytes – each and every day. A lot of this information is crucial for employees to make decisions while they’re working. If they can’t access all of the information they need, they’re unable to stay productive. A remote access solution ensures:
Why are oil fields using big data?
In fact, over the past few years, oil fields around the world have been adopting big data and other technologies to boost operational efficiencies. But there’s one often overlooked tool in the industry: remote access solutions. A lot of oil and gas employees spend a ton of time out in the field, and as a result, they need the ability to access their systems and data remotely from any device or location.
How does oil and gas help the economy?
Since the industrial revolution, the oil and gas industry has played an integral role in our economy – allowing us to enjoy the benefits of heat, light, and mobility throughout the world. Nowadays, many oil and gas companies continue to thrive with the occasional budget and schedule overruns, alongside the difficulties in attracting talent and keeping accountable in terms of climate change. Technology tends to assist oil and gas companies in terms of minimizing the challenges they face, and fortunately, the oil and gas industry is no stranger to digital innovation.
Can field workers upload daily inspection information throughout the day to be processed in real time?
Field workers can upload daily inspection information throughout the day to be processed in real-time.
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Why is remote access important?
Secure remote access is a necessity to keep productivity high and to quickly address operational issues, but it also can create a low cost, easy entry point for hackers. Blue Ridge Networks has designed a secure remote access solution that is comptaible with ICS/OT environments and supports both the enterprise and operational user. When this solution is in place, secure remote access to the OT environment is completely isolated and contained. This allows organizations to securely manage authorized connections between users and devices from one point to another through end-to-end encrypted tunnels — without establishing or configuring complex, time-consuming protocols. The solution eliminates endpoint vulnerability and cloaks devices, making them invisible and inaccessible to unauthorized systems.
What are the industries that depend on control systems?
Large scale industries such as manufacturing, water, transportation and energy, are highly dependent on their control systems for efficient and reliable operations. These industrial control systems (ICS) need the ability to provide secure and non-disruptive access to their system components and information for authorized personnel — from systems operators and maintenance engineers, to field technicians and managed service providers.
Can you ban remote access?
Many organizations have continued to prohibit remote access for third parties entirely, requiring individuals to exclusively access ICS during on-site visits. For example, within the telecommunications industry, switch equipment vendors have abandoned ICS remote access and retreated to conducting maintenance checks on premise. Banning remote access does eliminate some potential security risks, but can be prohibitive in critical alarm situations that indicate hazardous conditions or failure modes. In many instances, field sites may be separated by miles.
IoT and modern Industrial Connectivity allow manufacturers to access ICS and remotely monitor their plants
Not long ago, on-site access, control and maintenance to Industrial Control Systems was the only way for operators and managers to get to know what was going on the factory floor. For an organisation to make changes of any nature to critical systems, it was crucial to have readily available onsite engineers and support.
How does secure remote access work?
Remote Access is a plant optimisation system that let your team connect to ICS remotely through Virtual Desktop Interfaces. Basically, it mirrors your plant’s systems, so operators and managers can access the factory floor data through a “virtually direct” connection to the SCADA, HMIs, PLCs, IACs and other systems.
Committing to a SECURE Remote Access System
Zero Trust. That is all you need to commit to a Remote Access solution. No, really... it has been calculated that the industry loses about $100, 560 million per minute when their productive systems are stopped due to unpredicted maintenance, systems intrusion, or malfunctioning. And that number does not include ransoms demanded by hackers.
Benefits of having a SECURE Remote Access
Secure Remote Access to ICS allows quick efficiency wins, helping accelerate the strategic pipeline of production by securely grant access to real-time manufacturing data from every system, on any device, to those who have authorised access to it. Remote Access systems also make virtual commissioning and predictive maintenance more streamlined.
Virtual Commissioning and its Importance
Virtual commissioning or Remote Commissioning involves performing certain functions (designing, installation, testing, control) on industrial control systems through a virtual machine or VDI to avoid system errors. Using a secure cloud connection, you have now remote access to your plants’ systems from anywhere in the world.
What was the ICS environment before the Internet?
Prior to the arrival of the Internet, the ICS/OT environment at most organizations was “air-gapped”, meaning it had no connections to external networks. As a result, network security measures were not major considerations for ICS. As discussed in Part One of this series, however, the persistence of this mindset into the Internet era must be overcome, as ICS environments are now more connected and relied upon for real-time operational data. Subsequently, they have become high-value targets to threat groups.
What is remote connection?
To clarify, the remote connections to which we’re referring are connections from the Internet and/or an organization’s business network into its OT environment. These connections provide access to devices residing at Levels 3 and below of the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture, which we covered in depth in Part Two of this series:
How to secure file transfers over remote connections?
This method requires the technician to first plug the USB drive into a server at this location that scans all the files on the USB drive and copies the “cleaned” files to another USB drive plugged into the server. The technician then takes the “cleaned” USB drive and uses it to transfer the files onto a particular ICS system.
How to remote access OT?
Remote connectivity for OT staff should require two separate steps: a VPN connection into the ICS DMZ, followed by a second connection using hardened Remote Desktop (RD) via a jump host (or jump server) that provides carefully controlled, role-based access into OT systems.
How to address vendor impatience with security protocols?
To address user or vendor impatience with security protocols, administrators must strike the balance between effective security and ease of use. If vendor personnel require their own remote access connection into ICS, ensure that they are truly authorized, and put appropriate access controls in place, adhering to least-privilege and zero-trust principles so these users can only perform the tasks required of them. If possible, disable these connections by default and enable them manually only when required. Work with vendors to figure out their requirements and build a suitable solution that includes appropriate security controls. If the vendor requires a dedicated connection for monitoring, ensure that it runs through the remote access DMZ and is restricted to only a single segment of the network, by way of a jump server if possible.
What zone should remote access be in?
Ideally, remote connections into ICS should pass through the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the IT and OT segments, and in this edition of the series we will take a closer look at secure remote access architecture. Firewalls, authentication services, jump servers, and file servers all play crucial roles in conducting these connections securely.
Why is remote access important?
The benefits of remote access connections into ICS are so significant that many organizations now rely on these types of connections in their day-to-day operations. For example, when an organization needs to check, reprogram, or update their ICS, flying a vendor technician to the site from another location is far less preferable than having the technician remotely connect to the equipment to immediately perform the work with no travel cost. Remote access is also preferable for ongoing management of ICS located at remote field sites because it enables one technician to manage several sites, maximizing his/her efficiency.
The Operational Technology (OT) Remote Access Challenge
The convergence of operational and information technologies can expose major security gaps. Cyberattacks have increased by 2000% as of 2019, yet only 23% of manufacturers are compliant with minimum-level ICS security guidelines.
Comparing VPN to Privileged Remote Access
Provide secure and scalable remote access for operators, suppliers, and third-party vendors ... without using VPNs or other legacy access tools.
Are Your IT and OT Networks Segregated?
BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access allow you to maintain logical and physical network separation for remote access to operational technologies, in compliance with the Purdue model.
A Zero Trust Approach to Secure Access
Zero Trust is increasingly relevant for industrial control systems, as technologies and have blurred or dissolved the idea of a traditional firewall and network-zoned perimeter. The seismic shift to remote working has also accelerated the demise of the traditional perimeter and is driving an increased focus on Zero Trust.
