Security Gateway for Operational Technology Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operational technology (OT) networks in control systems lack adequate cybersecurity protections, making them vulnerable to cyber threats that can disrupt production, cause safety issues, and degrade operational processes, as conventional cybersecurity solutions designed for information technology networks are inadequate for OT networks, particularly at Levels 0-2 of the Purdue ICS Reference Architecture.
Innovation Solution
A security device is introduced to monitor and intercept communications between human machine interfaces (HMIs) and industrial control devices (ICDs), using artificial intelligence to detect anomalous behavior, block undesirable control commands, and log forensic data, while providing authentication, data validation, and configuration assurance to ensure the integrity of OT systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cybersecurity solutions (firewalls, virus protection, network segmentation) are applied to OT networks, then attack apertures are reduced, but the specific vulnerabilities of OT networks designed for process efficiency and safety remain unaddressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a security gateway as an intermediary device positioned between the OT network and external networks (IT networks, cloud services). This gateway acts as a mediator that translates and adapts security requirements, enabling conventional cybersecurity solutions to work effectively within OT networks while addressing their specific vulnerabilities. The gateway monitors, filters, and controls communications without disrupting the real-time operational requirements of OT systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adaptive security parameters that dynamically adjust security policies based on OT network conditions, device types, and threat levels. Security rules are modified in real-time to balance process efficiency and safety requirements with cyber protection needs. This allows conventional security solutions to adapt to the unique operational characteristics of OT networks.
2Productivity
If OT networks are designed for process efficiency and safety with minimal security measures, then operational performance is optimized, but vulnerability to cyber threats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary security measures by pre-configuring security policies, authentication mechanisms, and threat detection rules before OT devices connect to the network. The security gateway pre-establishes trusted device identities and communication protocols, enabling security protection without adding real-time operational overhead. This preliminary setup ensures that process efficiency is maintained while cybersecurity vulnerability is reduced.
3Reliability
If security monitoring and threat detection are implemented in real-time, then cyber threats are detected promptly, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments security monitoring functions into modular components distributed across the OT network architecture. The security gateway handles high-level policy enforcement and threat analysis, while individual OT devices perform local authentication and basic anomaly detection. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on any single device and enables scalable real-time monitoring without overwhelming processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A protection system, method, and a security device can protect an operational technology (OT) system having connected hardware equipment, including at least an interface that can receive a control communication and an industrial control device (ICD) for controlling at least one industrial device. They feature tasks/steps that receive control communication from the communication interface, determine whether the received control communication contains an undesirable control command, and either pass or block the received control communication to the ICD depending on whether the received control communication contains an undesirable control command. The security device can be disposed between a source of communication in an OT network and the ICD for protection.