A comprehensive Network Security Risk Model for process control networks.

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Risk Management

Background:

• Process control networks (PCN) are critical infrastructure vulnerable to cyber attacks.
• Failures in PCN can lead to catastrophic damage to essential services and commodity flows.
• Existing risk models lack adequate insight into the efficacy of cyber risk management policies for PCN.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Network Security Risk Model (NSRM) for evaluating risk management policies targeting PCN.
• To provide a robust framework for assessing the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures in industrial control systems.
• To address shortcomings in current risk models for PCN cyber attack analysis.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Network Security Risk Model (NSRM) structure and methodology.
• Modeling baseline risk associated with cyber attacks on PCN.
• Assessing the expected risk reduction after implementing candidate risk management policies.
• Utilizing an illustrative example to demonstrate the NSRM's application.

Main Results:

• The NSRM provides a means to evaluate the efficacy of candidate risk management policies.
• The model captures relevant dynamics of cyber attacks on PCN for comprehensive risk analysis.
• Demonstrated the practical application of the NSRM in an illustrative scenario.
• Quantified the expected risk reduction from implemented security measures.

Conclusions:

• The NSRM offers improved insight into the effectiveness of risk management strategies for PCN cybersecurity.
• The developed methodology enhances the analysis of cyber risks in critical infrastructures.
• The NSRM serves as a valuable tool for decision-making in industrial cybersecurity.