Control System Security Configuration Using Topology-Based Policy Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing a container control system is complex and error-prone due to its dynamic nature, requiring manual intervention and specialized knowledge, which is time-consuming and prone to human errors, especially in managing authentication, authorization, and network policies amidst continuous updates and compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that automatically generates a security configuration for a control system using engineering data and topology model data, leveraging a policy generator to derive security datasets, including network policies and container security policies, thereby reducing manual effort and ensuring consistent security measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration of security policies is performed, then security customization can be tailored to specific application needs, but the process becomes error-prone, time-consuming, and requires expert knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service security configuration by having the orchestration system automatically generate security policies based on engineering data and topology models, eliminating the need for manual expert intervention while maintaining adaptability to specific application requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms security configuration from a manual parameter-setting process to an automated generation process where security policies are derived by processing engineering data and topology models through the policy generator, changing the fundamental parameters of how security configurations are created
2Reliability
If manual security configuration is performed, then specialized security knowledge can be applied, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of security configuration with an automated computational system that processes engineering data and topology models to generate security policies, eliminating human error while reducing configuration time
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates standardized security policy templates that can be automatically instantiated and copied across different applications and components, ensuring consistency and accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required for security configuration
3Extent of automation
If automated policy generation is implemented, then manual effort and expert knowledge requirements are reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal policy generator that handles multiple security policy types (network policies, container security policies, access control) through a single automated system, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools while managing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for automatically generating a security configuration for a control system includes providing first data configured as engineering data related to information about the control system; providing second data related to topology model data of the control system; generating the security configuration for the control system by a policy generator based on the first data and/or the second data; wherein the generated security configuration includes a security dataset for the control system.