It can be a challenge to integrate cutting-edge security controls in industrial environments that depend on operational technology (OT). OT networks are often isolated, lacking connectivity by design. A lot of industrial devices depend on legacy software to operate correctly, and it’s common for industrial systems to rely on flat networks with little to no segmentation.
Luckily, cybersecurity professionals and subject matter experts from around the world have collaborated to produce guidance for securing OT environments, published in the IEC 62443 series of standards.
PKI plays a major role in modernizing industrial environments. Fewer technologies bring more effective and adaptable security features, from authentication to access control. Read on to learn how PKI and IEC 62443 can amplify your security.
What does IEC 62443 do?
IEC 62443 provides guidance for implementing and maintaining secure industrial automation and control systems (IACS). Because needs and requirements can vary wildly from one OT environment to the next, IEC 62443 prescribes four different security levels to accommodate the needs of any organization, regardless of their sophistication or maturity.
- Security Level 1: Protection against casual or accidental breach
- Security Level 2: Defense against intentional violations with simple means
- Security Level 3: Safeguarding against sophisticated threats
- Security Level 4: Defense against APTs and nation-state level threats
Many organizations and environments will depend on level 2 and level 3 guidance to secure their systems, but it’s important to remember that each security level can be applied partially where needed. OT managers will want to conduct a thorough risk-analysis before creating a plan to apply 62443 in their environment.
IEC 62443 doesn’t recommend specific products for securing IACS, but it does suggest foundational security practices, which escalate from concepts like user authentication and physical access control to advanced monitoring systems and regular auditing. Instead of adhering exclusively to one security level, organizations are encouraged to borrow guidance from each level when it best suits their security needs.
PKI’s Role in IEC 62443
Public-key cryptography—that is, the usage of asymmetric key pairs, certificates, and digital signatures—provides a universal solution for many of the suggestions in IEC 62443, especially in areas like:
- User authentication
- Access control
- Software validation
- Encrypted communications
For example, Part 4-2 of IEC 62443 (which focuses on fortifying each element of IACS against cyber threats) emphasizes robust authentication mechanisms for both devices and users. It also stresses the need for confidential communications and data integrity, two tenets of security that PKI is perfect for achieving.
For example, code signing verifies the authenticity of software, firmware, and updates. Because many IACS devices may be running unsupported software, organizations are advised to minimize the software in the environment and only allow authorized packages.
PKI can also be used to assign and verify device identities and broker authorization between them, eliminating the need for credential-based access control. Furthermore, issuing, renewing, and revoking the certificates that enable these feature is a breeze with the right PKI solution.
Whether you’re authenticating devices, controlling resource access between them, signing authorized updates, or encrypting data with cutting-edge cipher suites, a robut PKI solution can have a tremendous impact on your OT security posture.
Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 represents the digital transformation of the industrial sector. It holds the lofty aim of creating an interconnected network of devices and systems with real-time data and advanced analytics. This transformation promises improved efficiency, productivity and decision-making speed.
Security in Industry 4.0 depends on trust and identity. Trust ensures that every interaction within the network involves authenticated and authorized entities, while identity provides the means to establish, verify, and maintain these trusted relationships.
Implementing these controls comes with a number of challenges due to compatibility between legacy systems and highly variable environments. Each industrial setup has unique requirements and constraints, complicating the deployment of standardized security measures.
Technical complexity
Achieving comprehensive organizational coverage requires the expertise of seasoned security architects. Professionals must consider all potential angles and possess a deep understanding of the specific operational tech and processes in use.
Every industrial setup is unique, which makes implementing standardized security measures unrealistic. The challenge lies in designing a security framework that is both comprehensive and adaptable to diverse industrial operations.
Managing certificate volumes
Introducing PKI into OT-driven organizations will bring a new set of management challenges like certificate management.
Implementing certificate management uniformly is difficult due to diverse and often outdated devices. Untracked certificates can cause outages and add complexity. Whatever tool you choose should centralize certificate management into a universal hub delivering more reliable security and consistency.
Additionally, PKIaaS solutions may not be compatible with all OT devices and systems. To ensure compatibility, organizations need customized approaches and extensive vendor collaboration for seamless integration and operation.
PKI expertise
Effectively managing PKI requires more than just operational know-how; it demands a comprehensive vision, strategic design and long-term planning.
Partnerships and services can help bridge the expertise gap as experts in PKI are expensive and hard to find. Strategic partners can help you create a roadmap and your internal team can follow the playbook. You can also hand off PKI altogether to a managed PKI service.
Setting the Foundation for ICS Cybersecurity
Bringing PKI to the industrial world establishes a foundational layer of trust and security. As organizations seek to apply the framework of IEC 62443-4-2, adopting a phased approach is practical and necessary for effective implementation.
Here’s an overview of each phase:
- Focus on High-Risk Systems and Users: Begin by identifying and securing the highest-risk systems and users within the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) environment. By protecting the most vulnerable parts of the network first, the overall risk of cyber threats is significantly reduced.
- Implement a Phased Approach: Start by assessing current security measures and identifying gaps. Then, implement PKI solutions tailored to specific needs. This incremental improvement strategy makes it easier to manage and adapt to new challenges as they arise. As each phase is completed, the organization can build on its successes.
- Integrate PKI and Align with IEC 62443-4-2: Aligning with the best practices in IEC 62443-4-2 helps organizations meet regulatory requirements and ensures that cybersecurity measures are up-to-date with industry standards.
Setting the foundation for ICS cybersecurity with PKI is a substantial undertaking. If you’re ready to learn how Keyfactor can help you navigate PKI automation and align your ICS operations with IEC 62443, get in touch — our team is ready to help.
