OT Security Policy Management Across Enterprise Network Hierarchies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing and managing security policies across multiple operational technology (OT) networks within an enterprise is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, often taking weeks, months, or even years.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for an enterprise-level security policy management tool that allows users to define, generate, and deploy security policies across OT networks through a graphical user interface (GUI), facilitating centralized management and enforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security policies are manually created and implemented within OT networks by network administrators, then security policies can be enforced at the network level, but the process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive, taking weeks, months, or even years to implement across an enterprise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the enterprise into multiple hierarchical levels (enterprise level, facility level, system level, device level) with corresponding security policy management capabilities at each level. This segmentation allows policies to be created and enforced locally at each level while maintaining overall enterprise-wide security consistency, dramatically reducing implementation time from years to days or hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces security policy management tools as intermediary software components at each hierarchical level that automate the creation, distribution, and enforcement of security policies. These tools act as mediators between administrators and the actual policy enforcement points, eliminating manual configuration efforts and reducing implementation time while maintaining reliable enforcement.
2Reliability
If security policies are manually implemented across multiple OT networks, then comprehensive security coverage can be achieved, but the process requires significant human resources and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary creation and configuration of security policies at the enterprise level before deployment to lower hierarchical levels. This preliminary action allows policies to be standardized, validated, and prepared in advance, then automatically distributed across multiple OT networks, significantly improving deployment efficiency while maintaining comprehensive security coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where security policies created at one hierarchical level can be replicated and distributed to multiple subordinate levels and networks. This copying approach ensures consistent security coverage across the enterprise while eliminating redundant manual policy creation efforts, thereby improving productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If security policies are customized and implemented at each individual OT network level, then local security needs can be addressed, but the overall process becomes complex and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic hierarchical security policy management system where policies can be flexibly created, modified, and enforced at different hierarchical levels based on local needs. The system dynamically allows customization at facility, system, and device levels while automatically maintaining consistency with enterprise-wide policies, providing adaptability without increasing overall management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An enterprise-level security policy management tool receives, via a graphical user interface (GUI), inputs defining a security policy configured to be deployed within an enterprise that operates one or more operational technology (OT) networks, generates the security policy based on the inputs, and transmits the security policy to one or more computing devices running respective other instantiations of the enterprise-level security policy management tool, wherein the respective other instantiations of the enterprise-level security policy management tool are configured to facilitate enforcement of the security policy within the one or more OT networks operated by the enterprise.