Solving ICS Cybersecurity Challenges in the Electric Industry
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This document discusses how a mid-sized US electric utility implemented the Dragos cybersecurity platform to improve the visibility of its operational technology (OT) assets and threats, enhance compliance functions, and better support its limited OT security team. The Dragos solution included passive network monitoring sensors, asset characterization, and threat intelligence reporting. It helped the utility address compliance requirements, leverage Dragos' expertise through training and assistance, and improve its detection of OT threats through behavioral analytics and investigation playbooks. The solution demonstrated that combining technology with personnel support can effectively address common industrial control system security challenges faced by electric utilities.
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Solving ICS Cybersecurity Challenges in the Electric Industry
- 1. SolvingICS Cybersecurity Challengesin the Electric Industry Dragos Matt Cowell mcowell@dragos.com @m_p_cowell
- 3. Dragos Platform Threat Detection & Response technology for ICS Dragos WorldView ICS/OT Threat Intelligence Threat Operations Center Experienced assistance & training The Dragos Offering
- 4. Case Study Background ⢠Mid-sized US Electric utility ⢠Generation, Transmission and Distribution networks ⢠Diverse mix of control system vendors ⢠Limited team to support OT cyber security functions ⢠Network infrastructure supportive of monitoring ⢠Converging IT/OT SOC
- 5. Customer Objectives Improve visibility of networked OT assets Improve visibility of OT threats Improve NERC/CIP compliance functions Better enable limited OT security team
- 6. Architecture ⢠Passive network monitoring ⢠Sensor/Server based ⢠16 distributed sensors ⢠Centralized monitoring
- 7. Objective 1: Asset Visibility Summary ⢠30,000+ assets ⢠Vast volumes of data available ⢠Distributed across hundreds of miles ⢠Some physical network separation
- 8. Objective 1: Asset Visibility Solution ⢠Asset characterization ⢠Connections & protocols ⢠Zoning ⢠Timeline analysis
- 9. Objective 2: Compliance Summary ⢠NERC CIP regulated utility ⢠Required high level of manual effort ⢠Apprehensive of outside vendors
- 10. Objective 2: Compliance Solution ⢠Consultative discussion to understand compliance pains ⢠Address specific CIP requirements through technology ⢠Establish credibility through industry trusted partners Security Patch Management ďź CIP-007-6 R2: Malicious Code Prevention ďź CIP-007-6 R3: Security Event Monitoring ďź CIP-007-6 R4: Incident Reporting & Response Planning ďź CIP-008-5 R1: Vulnerability Assessments ďź CIP-010-2 R3:
- 11. Objective 3: Personnel Summary ⢠Small, dedicated team ⢠Varied experience levels ⢠Performing many different functions ⢠Converging OT/IT SOC
- 12. Objective 3: Personnel Solution ⢠Leverage Dragos experience through technology ⢠On site assistance and ongoing support ⢠Training to empower customer personnel ⢠IR support escalation through retainer
- 13. Objective 4: OT Threats Summary ⢠Limited information sharing of industry-wide threats ⢠Improve detection based on known TTPâs & behaviors ⢠Reduce amount of work performed by analysts to validate alerts ⢠Know how to respond to threats.
- 14. Objective 4: OT Threats Solution ⢠Threat behavior analytics ⢠Query focused datasets ⢠Investigation playbooks ⢠Threat intelligence reports provide additional context & details
- 16. Summary Threats are increasing but defense is doable IT and OT teams are blending Solution requires combination of tech. & personnel to be effective+ Pursue proactive threat hunting vs reactive IR Many companies are facing similar challenges
Editor's Notes
- âWhatâs the goal for the conference?â Personal intro 2nd Energysec conference
- First things first, how many attended BeerISAC last night? â hopefully you are all caffeinated and awake by now How many unfamiliar with BeerISAC?
- Some of you might not be familiar with Dragos so id like to start with a quick introduction but will keep it brief so we can spend more time on the good stuff Know that Dragos has a 3 pronged approach to OT cybersecurity Know - Detect - Respond
- The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the experience of an electric utility that Dragos worked with as we feel it could be applicable to many other utilieis Serves over 750k people Generation (coal, gas, wind, solar) Including Emerson, GE, SEL, Rockwell, Siemens, Honeywell, Yokogawa Managed switch infrastructure Team of 3 supported by IT security team Converging OT into existing IT Security operations
- Customer is always right Knowing ALL OT Assets and changes over time Compliance efficiencies Limited personnel, performing lots of tasks â better equip so they are more efficient Rather than working in dark, try to better understand the threat landscape âThatâs itâ
- Before we jump into the objectives and solutions itâs important to understand the primary technology being used in this instance Decreased risk of interruption to operations On prem server (cloud is an option too) Sensors positioned strategically to SPAN ports to give maximum visibility of different networks Deployed over 3 months - Coordinated with Dragos and customer field personnel
- If you donât know everything you have, you cannot protect In this case they already have a lot of infrastructure and data collection already available BUT too much data for limited team to manually process Utility covers expansive territory so network visibility essential Physical separation challenges need to be addressed â usually recommend architecture review before deployment to ensure coverage goals meet infrastructure capability
- ASSET Visualizing on an easy to read graphical UI or map makes it easier for all experience levels. IP, MAC, TCP/UDP ports useful but need more. Deep Packet Inspection drills into useful application layer content but requires a broad coverage of protocol dissectors (some proprietary). The more seen, the more learned - Serial numbers, fw versions, configurations High level characterizations â HMI, Switch, Protective relay â all important for crown jewel analysis and investigations based upon intel â treat different device types differently COMMUNICATIONS Relationships between assets and between zone. Does it align to expectations. Are there any odd connections that require further exploration â ie unexpected internet connections ZONES Visualizing and analyzing thousands of assets is challenging. Breaking up the view into a representation that best meets your requirements â graphical, function, type, IP address range TIMELINE When did assets first appear/disappear? Does this correlate with other timestamps â surveillance cameras, door entry logs? BENEFITS Save analysts time in collecting asset details â more efficient, less money. Assists compliance requirements with standard reports. Aids improved threat detection and IR
- Often security tools purchased to the benefit of security teams but important to explore other stakeholders such as those responsible for compliance (increase overall value) Compliance != good security but is a legal requirement Enhance compliance by developing improvements beyond current capability Reduce people with clipboards and manual work Outside vendors disrupting operations â inadvertent violations or downtime
- Technology can enable enhanced NERC requirements inc: Patch management, Security event monitoring, IR planning, vuln assessments, etc Begins with asset inventory AND knowing more about vulns â actual cvss score, impact, alternative work arounds â integrated threat intelligence expands on open source details â available through platform Pasive vulnerability discovery coming Behavior analytics â knowing what malicious behaviors observed in wild (intelligence) and known âexpectedâ behaviors based on assets and protocols â able to detect and alert and then take action Log collection and analysis â easier collection and review for limited team Playbooks and IR case management â augment with services â TTX to test and validate 15 months -> CIP-009-6 R1: Recovery Plans for BES Cyber Systems Platform + Intel + Services Asset inventory, ports and services Specific compliance pains â apply understanding of NERC/CIP, customer pains and technology capabilities to improve Improved credibility through partnerships with trusted partners such as SEL, DOE, EISAC
- Better enable existing OT team Wearing many hats â need to be focused/efficient with time Assessments, patching, incident response Utility does have security operations expanding coverage of OT
- Dragos has over 200+ years combined ICS cyber security experience â further more develop asset characterizations through custom dev and working with partners Analytics to improve detection â reduce false positive to focus efforts on real threats Playbooks to guide effective IR Emerging technology and limited resources, Dragos field team assisted with deployment until customer was comfortable â even helped run wire! Full spectrum from detection through response Expand domain areas of limited experience such as threat intelligence (knowing what we have learned of ICS focused adversaries) and proactive threat hunting â YIR highlighted 1/3 IR cases adversaries were undetected over 12 months Augment existing team capabilities with Dragos support, training and IR team
- Threats to OT are increasing in frequency and sophistication Not a lot of industry wide information sharing ALSO Limited information sharing compounded with inaccurate reporting and hype â wild goose chase Lots of lessons to be learned False positives Having foresight to know what to do in a situation not experienced before
- Derived from intelligence â ie observed in wild or collaboration with vendors â Dragos team shares detections and response through continuously updated content packs TBAâs improve confidence and provide context â TTPs and IOCâs QFDâs streamline IR and proactive hunts by providing reports of key data in one view Playbooks provide experience from the field on the appropriate response for new events Intel reports provide supporting data
- You might be able to relate to some of this⌠Individual needs might be different â but likely need combination of tech and people âAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cureâ With that, thank you for your time and pass back to Tim