Industrial Networks: A warehouse with one hundred doors

The concept of securing an industrial network is such an abstract idea to me – I like to think of it as a warehouse with hundreds of ever changing doors.

Imagine all of your tools, vehicles, equipment, and paperwork are stored in that warehouse.

You try to keep everything secure, however, the doors are ever-changing as locks get accidentally left unlocked, deliveries come and go, the new guy keeps losing his keys and new doors are created sometimes without your knowledge. Not to mention the janitor, the IT consultant and the boss’s kid who does filing every blue moon all have keys.

Are you aware of all your warehouse’s doors?  Are they all locked?  Do you know who has keys?  Would you know if someone was in your warehouse who shouldn’t be?  Do you have a plan if someone gets in and locks you out?

The doors need to be locked, but people still need to get in and out at different times for different purposes.

In addition to making sure all the doors are secure you must also ensure that:

• only authorized people are taking things, and taking only what they are allowed to take
• any deliveries that you accept are for goods that you actually requested
• any pickups are only accessing the goods that are meant for them
• you are notified instantly if something was taken

If this all sounds challenging, then the metaphor works.

It takes a plan, commitment and expertise to develop and implement an effective Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) to keep your industrial network safe.

ICI Electrical Engineering is committed to delivering secure engineered systems for critical infrastructure systems, aligned to ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity standards.

Need help securing your warehouse?