Peripheral Device Authorization Rules Using Categorization and Hash Analytics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems face challenges in identifying and managing vulnerabilities in peripheral devices due to limited resources, interoperability issues, and infrequent maintenance, which can lead to cyber-attacks and disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for programmatically defining authorization rules for peripheral devices based on device categorization, using device-level data and hash analytics to create a database of authorization rules and perform vulnerability analysis, enhancing security and reducing resource requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vulnerability analysis methods are used in industrial control systems, then security coverage can be comprehensive, but computing resources and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vulnerability analysis process into two distinct phases: a learning phase that occurs during maintenance windows when full analysis is performed, and an operational phase that runs during production when only lightweight monitoring is executed. This segmentation allows comprehensive security analysis without continuously consuming excessive computing resources during critical production periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary vulnerability analysis and creates device profiles during maintenance windows before the system enters production mode. By pre-processing vulnerability data and establishing baseline security profiles in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during operational phases while maintaining comprehensive security coverage.
2Reliability
If frequent maintenance checkups are performed to address vulnerabilities, then system security is improved, but productivity is reduced due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic vulnerability analysis that is synchronized with planned maintenance windows. Full vulnerability scans and updates are performed only during these scheduled intervals when the system is already undergoing maintenance, thereby improving security without causing additional unplanned downtime or productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous lightweight monitoring and threat detection capabilities during production operations, ensuring security coverage is never interrupted. Between periodic maintenance windows, the system continues to monitor for threats and validate against established profiles, maintaining security continuity without requiring frequent full-system maintenance downtime.
3Measurement precision
If detailed device-level data collection is implemented for all peripheral devices, then authorization accuracy is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of data collection and analysis granularity to different device types and locations in the system. Critical peripheral devices that require high-security authorization receive detailed device-level data collection and analysis, while less critical devices use simplified profiling. This local quality approach ensures high authorization accuracy where needed without uniformly increasing system complexity across all devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method, apparatus and computer program product for detecting vulnerability in an industrial control system, predicting maintenance in an industrial control system, and defining authorization rules for peripheral devices based on peripheral device categorization are described herein.