Radial Threat Visualization for Networked Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern control systems are vulnerable to security threats, which can disrupt critical infrastructure and pose risks to human safety and economic stability, necessitating effective visualization tools for rapid threat detection and response.
Innovation Solution
The development of a computer-implemented method and system that provides a graphical interface to visualize networked control systems by ordering components according to a control hierarchy and domain structure, highlighting potentially compromised components within a circular area, facilitating rapid identification and response to security threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If control systems use complex networked architectures to manage large-scale processes, then system functionality and automation capability improve, but vulnerability to security threats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into hierarchical domains (enterprise, control, process levels) and visualizes them as separate concentric circles. This segmentation allows security threats to be contained and analyzed within specific domains rather than affecting the entire system, addressing the vulnerability issue while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graphical interface as an intermediary between the complex networked control system and operators. This interface mediates security monitoring by translating complex network data into visual representations, enabling operators to detect and respond to threats without directly interacting with the complex automated system.
2Ease of operation
If traditional flat visualization methods are used to display control system components, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but rapid identification of security threats and hierarchical relationships becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from flat 2D visualization to a multi-dimensional radial layout where components are arranged in concentric circles representing hierarchical levels. This dimensional change enables simultaneous display of hierarchical relationships, domain groupings, and security status, allowing rapid threat identification while maintaining visual simplicity through intuitive spatial organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses circular/spheroidal layout to organize control system components radially. This curved arrangement naturally represents hierarchical structures and domain boundaries, making it easier to visualize relationships and quickly identify threats compared to traditional flat linear layouts.
3Loss of information
If detailed information about all components is displayed simultaneously, then completeness of information is improved, but visual complexity and difficulty of rapid threat identification increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying different levels of detail in different radial zones. Components closer to the center (higher hierarchical levels) show aggregated information, while outer zones display more detailed component-specific data. This allows complete information to be available without overwhelming visual complexity, as users can focus on specific domains as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments information display by domain and hierarchical level, organizing components into distinct radial zones. Each zone can be independently analyzed, allowing complete system information to be presented in a structured manner that reduces visual complexity through systematic organization rather than presenting all data uniformly.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method for providing interfaces for visualizing threats within networked control systems may include (i) receiving a request to provide a graphical interface to visualize a networked control system with multiple components, (ii) identifying within the networked control system a potential security threat involving a potentially compromised component of the networked control system, and (iii) providing the graphical interface by (a) ordering the components according to a control hierarchy, (b) portraying each component within a circular area by arranging the components according to the control hierarchy and according to domains within the networked control system such that each component falling within a given domain is placed within a corresponding arc of the circular area, and (c) highlighting, within the graphical interface, an area within an arc of the circular area containing the potentially compromised component. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.