Industrial Control Action Authentication Using Signed Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access and malicious actions due to the lack of robust authentication mechanisms, which can lead to malware infections, unauthorized control changes, and data access issues, even when operator authentication is performed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secure authentication path within the industrial control system that requires action requests to be signed by an action authenticator, verified by communications/control modules, and only executed if authenticity is confirmed, using techniques such as smart cards and multifactor cryptography to prevent unauthorized actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication mechanisms are used in industrial control systems, then operator access can be verified, but the system remains vulnerable to malware infections, unauthorized control changes, and data access issues
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: operator authentication for system access, and action authentication for specific control commands. Each component uses digital signatures with public-private key pairs, creating modular security layers that can be implemented independently while enhancing overall system reliability without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication by requiring digital signatures on action requests before execution. The communications/control module verifies the digital signature of each action request against the public key stored in the action authenticator, preventing unauthorized actions before they can affect the industrial process.
2Reliability
If action requests require digital signature verification, then unauthorized actions are prevented, but system operation speed and response time may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Public keys are pre-stored in the action authenticator during system initialization or setup phases. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for real-time key exchange or certificate validation, allowing the communications/control module to perform only signature verification against pre-loaded public keys, thus maintaining fast response times while ensuring security.
3Reliability
If comprehensive authentication is implemented for all action requests, then system security is enhanced, but the complexity of system operation and implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The action authenticator automatically signs action requests with its private key, and the communications/control module automatically verifies signatures using the stored public key. This self-service authentication mechanism operates transparently without requiring manual intervention from operators, maintaining ease of operation while implementing comprehensive security.
Data Source
AI summary
Operator actions and/or other commands or requests are secured via an authentication path from an action originator to a communications/control module or any other industrial element/controller. In implementations, an industrial control system includes an action authenticator configured to sign an action request generated by the action originator. The destination communications/control module or any other industrial element/controller is configured to receive the signed action request, verify the authenticity of the signed action request, and perform a requested action when the authenticity of the signed action request is verified.