I have seen first-hand the devastating consequences of industrial control system (ICS) cyber attacks. These attacks can halt production lines, compromise sensitive data, and even cause physical harm to workers. So, it’s no wonder that companies are taking industrial security more seriously than ever before. But with so many different security standards and regulations to keep track of, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. That’s where the ISA Secure Levels come into play. In this article, I’m going to explain what the ISA Secure Levels are and how they can help you better understand ICS security. Read on to learn more.
What are the ISA secure levels?
The ISASecure levels of security certification are based on several technical components that evaluate security level compliance. These components include:
The FSA evaluates the product’s functional requirements in terms of cybersecurity assurance. The evaluation includes an assessment of the products’ capability to meet the defined security requirements for the respective ISASecure level. It also evaluates cybersecurity countermeasures implemented in the product’s design.
The SDSA evaluates the software development process for ICS products to identify vulnerabilities resulting from errors in software design and code implementation. The evaluation process assesses the software development life cycle activities, including planning, requirements, design, coding, testing, and maintenance. It also evaluates software development security controls and practices that cover software development phase from product concept to product design.
In conclusion, the ISA secure levels are essential in ensuring that automation and control systems are safe from cyber threats. The components evaluated in these levels of certification provide a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity assurance that enables asset owners to trust that the products they are using meet the necessary security requirements.
???? Pro Tips:
1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of ISA secure levels – before attempting to implement them in your organization, make sure you have a clear understanding of the different secure levels and their requirements.
2. Evaluate your organization’s cybersecurity risks – conduct a thorough analysis of your organization’s cybersecurity risks, as this will help you determine the appropriate ISA secure level to implement.
3. Choose the appropriate ISA secure level – based on your risk assessment, choose an ISA secure level that aligns with your organization’s security goals and objectives.
4. Implement ISA secure level requirements – ensure that all necessary ISA secure level requirements are met during implementation, including hardware, software, and policies and procedures.
5. Continuously monitor and maintain ISA secure levels – regularly monitor and maintain your ISA secure levels, as cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving and require ongoing attention to keep your organization secure.
Introduction to ISA Secure Levels
In today’s world, cybersecurity has become a critical factor for organizations of every shape and size. Protecting critical infrastructure and industrial control systems is of paramount importance. The International Society of Automation (ISA) provides a globally recognized program called ISASecure to certify cybersecurity capabilities of industrial automation and control systems (IACS). There are three different ISASecure Levels: Level 1.01, Level 2, and Level 3. The ISASecure program provides vendors and system integrators with certification that their products or solutions meet the requirements of industrial cybersecurity.
Understanding ISASecure Level 1.01 for Devices
ISASecure Level 1.01 for devices is a cybersecurity certification that addresses the baseline requirements for network-connected devices. This level focuses on the following areas of cybersecurity:
- Device identity and access management
- Integrity of firmware and software
- Secure communication
- Cybersecurity vulnerability assessment and patch management
Devices that receive this certification have undergone independent testing to ensure support of these requirements. The certification also includes a review of vendor development practices to ensure secure coding practices and a risk management framework is implemented.
Exploring ISASecure Level 2 for Devices
ISASecure Level 2 for devices includes all the cybersecurity requirements of Level 1.01 and adds an additional layer of security. The focus of this level is on the security of the off-device communication to other network-connected devices and IACS network infrastructure. This level includes the following:
- Encryption of remote access
- Access point security
- Perimeter defense
- Secure tunneling
- Firewall policies and management
ISASecure Level 2 requirements require device vendors to have a secure development process in place that includes a threat modeling process and security testing procedures.
Overview of ISASecure Level 3 to Devices
ISASecure Level 3 for devices represents the highest level of cybersecurity certification. It includes all the cybersecurity requirements of Level 1.01 and Level 2 and adds an additional layer of cybersecurity necessary for IACS that affect life and safety. This level includes the following:
- Redundancy
- Malware protection
- Physical machine access control
- High availability and minimum downtime
- Security event logging and auditing
Importantly, achieving ISASecure Level 3 demonstrates that security-conscious development and design processes are utilized by a vendor.
Components of Security Certification under ISA Secure Levels
The following two components of security certification exist for each ISASecure level:
Functional Security Assessment (FSA)
The FSA is an independent cybersecurity assessment that evaluates the IACS products to the requirements defined by the ISASecure program. This testing includes a review of cybersecurity management, development procedures, and how well the product meets the requirements for the selected level of certification.
Software Development Security Assessment (SDSA)
The SDSA is an independent assessment of vendors’ software development processes. The goal is to evaluate how security is integrated into the development lifecycle, including policies, procedures, tools, and testing.
In conclusion, the ISASecure program provides vendors and system integrators with certification that their products or solutions meet the requirements of industrial cybersecurity. It provides a standardized method of cybersecurity certification across different levels of security. Achieving certification under any of the ISASecure levels demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity best practices and standards.
