BLUF

Critical infrastructure sectors in the US, reliant on SCADA systems, face vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access and network risks. Mitigation involves strict access control, network segmentation, training, incident response teams, and regular updates to enhance cybersecurity and ensure uninterrupted services.

Critical Infrastructure

“There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, physical or virtual, are considered vital to the United States. Their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on overall national security” (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, n.d.). As defined by CISA some sectors include the Chemical, Communications, Defense, Emergency, and Energy sectors. 

Vulnerabilities

Critical Infrastructure are high-value target due to the essential services provided and reliance on SCADA systems for monitoring and control, which introduces cyber vulnerabilities. With the critical infrastructure connected to the local community or region, the potential damages can be critical. 

SCADA Systems 

SCADA systems are used in infrastructure and facility-based locations to monitor and control operations. Monitors include human-machine interfaces (HMI), supervisory systems, remote terminal units (RTUs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and communication infrastructure. 

Critical infrastructure have deployed SCADA to automate the control of processes and data collection (Paganini, 2020). SCADA systems, reliability is paramount in many critical installations hardware is ruggedized, to withstand temperature, voltage, and vibration extremes. 

SCADA Vulnerability and Risk Mitigation

SCADA has two major vulnerabilities. The first one is unauthorized access to software, in ways of malware or even insider threats, affecting the control host machine. Network access related to packet access that hosts SCADA is the second threat.  SCADA systems are susceptible to cyberattacks due to their local connections with networks and reliance on old technologies with outdated security measures.  

SCADA systems mitigate by strict access control, Network segmentation, training and awareness, incident response teams, and frequent updates. 

Conclusion 

Critical infrastructure sectors in the US rely on SCADA systems for their operations. However, SCADA systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks due to unauthorized access network vulnerabilities, and legacy technology. To mitigate these risks, SCADA can use strict access control measures, network segmentation, training programs, incident response teams, and regular updates. By improving cybersecurity measures, we can safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted services.