NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Columbia, MD, United States, 2014/01/03 - Industrial facilities (e.g., electricity grid, manufacturing, distribution systems) are operating in dramatically increasing threat environments that include advanced, persistent cyber attacks.

Industrial control systems (ICS) are used widely throughout the industrial complex and have been the focus of targeted attacks in recent years, such as the Stuxnet computer worm malware designed to spy on and subvert industrial systems. Common security technologies (e.g., encryption and device authentication) have been developed primarily for use on desktop and enterprise IT systems; these are limited for use in ICS because they are not designed to meet the timing, availability, and scale requirements of industrial environments.

To understand and address these limitations, Energetics designed and facilitated a roadmap workshop for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on security performance impacts on ICS. About 65 experts, including both manufacturers and users of control systems, came together to identify the methods and metrics needed to measure the impacts of security technologies and architectures on ICS performance.

During the workshop, Energetics’ staff guided participants through a structured brainstorming and analysis process to produce a roadmap of actions needed to promote innovation, development, and adoption of advanced security technologies that reduce cyber risks. Based on the results, Energetics (energetics.com) will develop a measurement science roadmap for ICS security performance research. This report will inform future NIST technical programs and strategic planning, as well as provide useful information to other government agencies and stakeholders engaged in ICS security. It will also help to identify opportunities to leverage and inform the Cybersecurity Framework under development in response to Executive Order 13636, Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.

About Energetics
Energetics (energetics.com) is a full-service technology and management consulting firm specializing in the fields of energy, environment, homeland security, and global health.

Agency / Source: Energetics, Inc.

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