Control System Security Configuration Using Topology-Aware Policy Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems face challenges in securing their complex and dynamic nature due to distributed architectures, requiring manual, time-consuming, and error-prone configurations, which demand specialized knowledge and expertise to ensure comprehensive protection without hindering functionality.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that automatically generates a security configuration for control systems using engineering data and topology model data, leveraging a policy generator to derive security datasets, including network and container policies, reducing the need for manual effort and expert knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual security configuration is performed, then security measures can be customized and adapted to specific needs, but the process becomes time-consuming, error-prone, and requires expert knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating security configurations before deployment using policy generators that process engineering data and topology models. This preliminary automated generation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual configuration while ensuring security measures are in place before the control system becomes operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-service through automated policy generators that create security configurations independently without requiring expert human intervention. The system uses its own engineering data and topology models to generate appropriate security policies, reducing both time consumption and dependency on specialized knowledge.
2Reliability
If manual security configuration is performed, then specialized security expertise can be applied, but the process becomes complex and requires in-depth understanding of multiple deployment options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual configuration with automated computational processes. Policy generators use algorithms to process engineering data and topology models, substituting human expert manual work with automated systems that reduce complexity while maintaining or improving configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The policy generator serves multiple functions by automatically handling various security configuration tasks including authentication, authorization, network policies, and data protection. This universal automated approach eliminates the need for specialized expertise in multiple separate configuration areas while maintaining comprehensive security coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual security configuration is performed, then custom configurations can be created based on specific application needs, but the process becomes error-prone and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where policy generators continuously process updated engineering data and topology models to generate and update security configurations. This automated feedback loop ensures configurations remain accurate and adapted to current system states while eliminating manual errors associated with custom configuration maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation and generation of security configurations based on processed engineering data before deployment. This preliminary automated processing ensures configurations are error-free and properly adapted to specific application needs while maintaining consistency with the control system's topology and requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method (100) for automatically generating a security configuration (25) for a control system (50), comprising: - Providing (102) first data (10) configured as engineering data related to information about the control system (50), - Providing (104) second data (20) related to topology model data of the control system (50); - Generating (106) the security configuration (25) for the control system (50) by a policy generator (60) based on the first data (10) and/or the second data (20), wherein the generated security configuration (25) includes a security dataset (27) for the control system (50).