Configuration and Change Control Management
Overview
Configuration and Change Control Management (CCM) in OT environments is essential for maintaining system integrity, security, and compliance. CCM processes capture the current state of OT devices and actively monitor for changes, whether scheduled or unauthorized.
Since OT environments often control critical infrastructure, tracking and managing configurations is necessary to prevent both intentional and accidental disruptions, which can result from unvetted changes or cyber intrusions.
Importance
In OT, any change—legitimate or unauthorized—can have severe implications for safety and operational continuity. While traditional IT environments frequently rely on standardized change management tools and automated updates, OT environments demand rigorous oversight due to their unique components, such as PLCs, RTUs, SCADA systems, and legacy devices. Standards like IEC 62443-2-1 emphasize the need for secure configurations and change monitoring to safeguard against disruptions, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain system reliability.
In critical infrastructure, even minor deviations from baseline configurations can lead to cascading effects. For example, configuration changes in PLCs, network devices, or firewalls can affect control processes, leading to safety hazards or downtime. Moreover, unauthorized changes may go unnoticed without proper monitoring, leaving systems vulnerable to cyber attacks. Regular configuration checks allow OT teams to quickly identify and investigate deviations, protecting both cybersecurity and process integrity.
Our Approach
- Establishing a Configuration Baseline: A secure OT environment begins with a clear baseline configuration, which includes every critical attribute of an asset—software versions, patches, open ports, user accounts, firewall rules, and specific settings like PLC switch positions. This baseline serves as a “known-good” state, helping detect any deviations that could signal a security issue. Establishing this baseline aligns with IEC 62443-3-3 SR 7.8 Control system component inventory, which mandates that asset configurations are securely documented and maintained.
- Continuous Monitoring for Configuration Changes: Continuous monitoring enables detection of both authorized and unauthorized changes. By using CCM tools, OT teams can track configuration adjustments in real-time, observing elements like firmware updates, network configurations, and application changes. This aligns with IEC 62443-3-3 SR 6.2 (Continuous monitoring), which calls for real-time change detection to protect OT systems from tampering or unauthorized access. Monitoring tools alert OT personnel to any deviations, enabling timely responses to prevent disruptions or potential breaches.
- Change Control Processes:
Effective CCM includes well-defined change control processes for requesting, reviewing, and approving changes. This approach includes:- Vetting Change Requests: All changes undergo a structured review process to assess risk, necessity, and impact on OT systems.
- Managing Emergency Changes: For critical changes, emergency procedures ensure rapid deployment while maintaining oversight, minimizing the impact on operations.
- Documentation and Audit Trails: Every change is documented, specifying who made it, when, and why. Detailed logs are essential for compliance and forensic investigations, helping align with requirements in IEC 62443-2-1 for change management in industrial settings.
- Deviation and Alert Management: When a deviation is detected, CCM tools flag it for review. Alerts prioritize changes that could impact security or process reliability, like unauthorized firmware modifications, changes in user privileges, or configuration adjustments on firewalls or network devices. These alerts are triaged, with high-priority events escalated for immediate action, aligning with NCA OTCC guidelines for critical incident response.
- Compliance and Reporting: Configuration and Change Control Management facilitates compliance with frameworks such as IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82 by maintaining accurate configuration records and providing automated reporting. Routine audits verify system configurations against the baseline, while reporting tools ensure organizations can demonstrate compliance to regulatory bodies or during security audits.
Our Capabilities
Configuration and Change Control Management (CCM) is crucial in high-stakes OT environments where a single unauthorized change can have life-threatening or catastrophic consequences. Here’s a breakdown of how CCM’s role becomes especially critical in different verticals:
Nuclear Power:
- Why CCM is Critical: In nuclear facilities, strict control over device configurations, firmware updates, and system settings is essential to ensure reactor stability and prevent potential nuclear accidents. Unauthorized changes or misconfigurations can compromise cooling systems, containment measures, or control mechanisms, leading to severe safety hazards.
- CCM in Action: CCM tools help monitor and document all system configurations, from reactor controls to radiation monitoring devices, ensuring that only authorized personnel make changes and that any deviations from the established baseline are flagged immediately. Compliance with standards like NIST SP 800-82 and IEC 62443 is vital in these environments, where failure to adhere can impact both public safety and environmental health.
Oil and Gas:
- Why CCM is Critical: Oil and gas facilities operate in hazardous conditions where flammable materials and high pressures are involved. Configuration errors in control systems for valves, pipelines, and compressors can lead to leaks, fires, or explosions.
- CCM in Action: Configuration management tools continuously monitor systems such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) for changes in valve settings, pressure thresholds, and alarm systems. Unauthorized changes are flagged and logged, and emergency responses can be initiated. These measures align with IEC 62443-3-3 SR 6.2 (Continuous monitoring) for industrial automation security, protecting both personnel and infrastructure.
Air Traffic Control (ATC):
- Why CCM is Critical: Air traffic control systems are critical for managing and directing aircraft safely in shared airspace. Any misconfiguration or unauthorized access to radar, communication, or navigation systems could disrupt coordination, endangering passengers and crews.
- CCM in Action: In ATC environments, CCM systems ensure that configurations in radars, flight tracking systems, and communication networks remain consistent and secure. Strict change control processes monitor for unauthorized changes, such as adjustments to radar detection zones or airspace parameters. Compliance with safety standards, such as ICAO guidelines and IEC 62443, is mandatory to ensure safe and efficient airspace management.
Water and Wastewater Treatment:
- Why CCM is Critical: Water treatment plants ensure clean drinking water and safe wastewater disposal. Configuration errors in chemical dosing systems or filtration controls can lead to contamination, risking public health.
- CCM in Action: Configuration management tools monitor dosing pumps, pH sensors, and filtration systems, ensuring settings stay within safe ranges. Deviations trigger alerts and corrective actions, safeguarding water quality and complying with NIST and IEC 62443-3-3 standards for safe operation.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing:
- Why CCM is Critical: In pharmaceutical production, precise control over equipment settings, temperature, and mixing speeds is essential to produce safe and effective medications. Any unauthorized configuration changes could compromise product quality.
- CCM in Action: Configuration management tools monitor production machines and environmental controls, flagging deviations from the validated settings. This monitoring is essential for compliance with regulatory standards such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and IEC 62443, ensuring product integrity and safety.
Transportation and Rail Systems:
- Why CCM is Critical: Rail systems rely on precise signaling, switch configurations, and automated controls to manage train traffic and prevent collisions. Unauthorized changes could disrupt these safety-critical systems.
- CCM in Action: CCM systems track configurations across train control and signaling systems. Any unauthorized changes, like speed restrictions or switch settings, are flagged for immediate investigation, aligning with IEC 62443-3-3 requirements for secure, uninterrupted operations.