Network Security and Segmentation
Overview
Network Security and Segmentation are essential for protecting OT environments from cyber threats that can disrupt control processes. Following standards like IEC 62443-3-2, ZCR – Zone and Conduit requirements of segmentation isolates critical systems across different Purdue levels (L0-L4), limiting exposure and enabling secure, segmented communication paths.
Balancing Security with Operational Reliability
Importance
As industrial networks grow increasingly interconnected, threats like malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access can propagate, potentially compromising control processes, instrumentation, and other critical systems.
Implementing these controls safeguards sensitive OT functions by establishing strict boundaries and secure channels for control system communications, ensuring that each segment is insulated from non-essential access.
Our Approach
- Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW): CS4 deploys NGFWs to create perimeter controls for OT zones, supporting deep packet inspection and application control across multiple levels. These firewalls enforce policies at each segment boundary, filtering traffic between zones to prevent unauthorized access and ensuring isolation of critical control processes from IT networks.
- Industrial Protocol Inspection Firewalls: We implement firewalls that support deep inspection of industrial protocols like Modbus, OPC UA, IEC 61850, DNP3, CIP/EtherNet/IP, and Profibus. This ensures that only authorized, protocol-compliant communications occur between control processes, safeguarding the integrity of I/O signals and preventing unauthorized commands from reaching critical devices or third-party interfaces.
- Network Intrusion Prevention System (NIPS): Our NIPS solutions monitor traffic within and across zones, identifying malicious activities and policy violations based on IEC 62443 security requirements. They help protect network segments at Levels L2 and L3, which are closer to operational control functions, by blocking threats that could impact control commands or manipulate process parameters.
- Network Access Control (NAC): NAC solutions are implemented to enforce strict authentication and authorization for devices joining OT networks. By verifying device compliance with security policies, NAC helps prevent unauthorized devices from accessing control networks, supporting IEC 62443’s focus on restricted access and controlled connectivity across network segments.
- Security Zoning and Conduits: Following IEC 62443 guidelines, we design and implement security zoning and conduits, creating secure pathways for essential communication. Security zoning aligns with Functional Requirements like FR5 for RDF (Restriction of Data Flow), ensuring controlled and policy-governed communications between levels (e.g., L3 to L2). Conduits are designed for each zone-to-zone connection, facilitating controlled, monitored, and authenticated data exchange only where operationally necessary.
Our Capabilities
Our solutions have been successfully implemented in diverse industries, customized to meet unique operational requirements:
- Maritime: Segmenting communication networks to isolate navigation and control systems from external connectivity, ensuring vessel safety and data integrity.
- Energy: Securing power generation and distribution with isolated zones that separate critical DCS and 3rd Party SCADA systems, protecting operational uptime.
- District Cooling: Implementing segmented zones to protect and control industrial chillers, ensuring consistent cooling operations for urban infrastructures.
CS4’s Network Security and Segmentation solutions are adaptable, scalable, and industry-specific, supporting compliance with global and regional standards while maintaining resilient, secure OT environments.
- Minimized attack surface through micro-segmentation and role-based access.
- Real-time monitoring and adaptive responses to contain threats.
- Seamless integration with control processes for uninterrupted performance.