An isolated virtual cluster for SCADA network security research

Abstract

Research aimed at securing the SCADA and ICS networks has taken off in the wake of Stuxnet. Unfortunately, it is difficult for researchers to fully capture the integration between cyber and physical components that is intrinsic to these systems. To enable researchers to perform network security experiments while taking into account the physical component of ICS networks, we propose the use of the ICS sandbox. The ICS sandbox uses the proven virtualized cluster approach to emulate SCADA networks with high fidelity. The virtualized cluster is interfaced with an electrical power flow simulator to integrate the physical component of an ICS network controlling electrical grid critical infrastructure without imposing scale constraints. Parts of the proposed sandbox were validated in a training session offered to industry professionals where a satisfaction survey indicated that hands-on session with the ICS sandbox provided significant training value to the participants that could not have been obtained in traditional training.

Affiliations

École Polytechnique de Montréal

2500, Chemin de Polytechnique

Montreal, Qc, CA

H3T1J4

Royal Military College of Canada

13 General Crerar Cres

Kingston, ON, CA

K7K 7B4

Contributors

Antoine Lemay

José Fernandez

Scott Knight

Conference

Publication date: September 2013

Publication date (Print): September 2013

Pages: 88-96

ID: 10.14236/ewic/ICSCSR2013.10

Copyright statement: © Antoine Lemay et al. Published by BCS Learning and Development Ltd. 1st International Symposium for ICS & SCADA Cyber Security Research 2013 (ICS-CSR 2013), Leicester, UK

License:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Conference name: 1st International Symposium for ICS & SCADA Cyber Security Research 2013 (ICS-CSR 2013)

Conference acronym: ICSCSR

Conference number: 1

Conference location: Leicester, UK

Conference date: 16-17 September 2013

Conference sponsor: Electronic Workshops in Computing (eWiC)

Conference theme: ICS & SCADA Cyber Security Research 2013

Product

Product Information: 1477-9358 BCS Learning & Development

Self URI (article page): https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14236/ewic/ICSCSR2013.10

Self URI (journal page): https://ewic.bcs.org/

Categories

Series title: Electronic Workshops in Computing