NO.23 Multiuser accounts and shared passwords inherently carry which of the followinq risks?
Available Choices (select all choices that are correct)
Multiuser accounts and shared passwords are accounts and passwords that are used by more than one person to access a system or a resource. They inherently carry the risk of unauthorized access, which means that someone who is not authorized or intended to use the account or password can gain access to the system or resource, and potentially compromise its confidentiality, integrity, or availability. For example, if a multiuser account and password are shared among several operators of an industrial automation and control system (IACS), an attacker who obtains the password can use the account to access the IACS and perform malicious actions, such as changing the system settings, deleting data, or disrupting the process. Multiuser accounts and shared passwords also make it difficult to track and audit the activities of individual users, and to enforce the principle of least privilege, which states that users should only have the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks. Therefore, the ISA/IEC 62443 standards recommend avoiding the use of multiuser accounts and shared passwords, and instead using individual accounts and strong passwords for each user, and implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms to control the access to the IACS. References:
* ISA/IEC 62443-3-3:2013 – Security for industrial automation and control systems – Part 3-3: System security requirements and security levels1
* ISA/IEC 62443-2-1:2009 – Security for industrial automation and control systems – Part 2-1:
Establishing an industrial automation and control systems security program2
* ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist Training Course3
Shared passwords and multiuser accounts pose specific risks, notably unauthorized access and privilege escalation. In ISA/IEC 62443’s framework, these practices are discouraged because they complicate the attribution of actions to individual users and increase the likelihood that accounts can be used beyond their intended scope. Unauthorized access occurs when individuals exploit the shared nature of an account to gain entry to systems or data that they should not access. Privilege escalation can happen when users leverage shared accounts to perform actions at higher permission levels than those assigned to their personal accounts.
Conversely, buffer overflows and race conditions are types of vulnerabilities or programming errors, not directly associated with the risks of multiuser accounts or shared passwords.
NO.33 Who must be included in a training and security awareness program?
Available Choices (select all choices that are correct)
Modbus over Ethernet, also known as Modbus/TCP, is a protocol that encapsulates the Modbus/RTU data string inside the data section of the TCP frame. It then sets up a client/server exchange between nodes, using TCP/IP addressing to establish connections1. This makes it easy to manage in a firewall, because the firewall can filter the traffic based on the source and destination IP addresses and the TCP port number. The default TCP port for Modbus/TCP is 502, but it can be changed if needed. Modbus/TCP does not use any other ports or protocols, so the firewall rules can be simple and specific. References:
* 8: Open Modbus/TCP Specification, RTA Automation, 2010.
* [9]: Modbus Application Protocol Specification V1.1b3, Modbus Organization, 2012.
NO.37 Why is patch management more difficult for IACS than for business systems?
Available Choices (select all choices that are correct)
Patch management is the process of applying software updates to fix security vulnerabilities, improve functionality, or enhance performance. Patch management is an essential part of cybersecurity, as unpatched systems can be exploited by malicious actors. However, patch management for industrial automation and control systems (IACS) is more challenging than for business systems, because patching a live automation system can create safety risks. According to the ISA/IEC 62443 standards, patching an IACS may have the following potential impacts1:
* Patching may introduce new vulnerabilities or errors that compromise the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of the IACS.
* Patching may affect the functionality or performance of the IACS, causing unexpected or undesired behavior, such as process shutdowns, slowdowns, or failures.
* Patching may require downtime or reduced operation of the IACS, which may affect production, quality, or profitability.
* Patching may require additional resources, such as personnel, equipment, or testing facilities, which may not be readily available or affordable.
Therefore, patch management for IACS requires careful planning, testing, and validation before applying patches to the operational environment. The ISA/IEC 62443 standards provide guidance and best practices for patch management in the IACS environment, such as1:
* Establishing a patch management program that defines roles, responsibilities, policies, and procedures
* for patching IACS components and systems.
* Identifying and prioritizing the IACS assets that need patching, based on their criticality, vulnerability, and risk level.
* Evaluating and verifying the patches for compatibility, functionality, and security before applying them to the IACS.
* Implementing and documenting the patching process, including backup, recovery, and rollback procedures, in case of patch failure or adverse effects.
* Monitoring and auditing the patching activities and outcomes, and reporting any issues or incidents.
References: 1: ISA TR62443-2-3 – Security for industrial automation and control systems, Part 2-3: Patch management in the IACS environment
NO.39 Which is an important difference between IT systems and IACS?
Available Choices (select all choices that are correct)
IT systems and IACS have different security priorities, requirements, and challenges. According to the ISA/IEC 62443 standards, the security priority for IT systems is confidentiality, which means protecting the data from unauthorized access or disclosure. The security priority for IACS is integrity, which means ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the data and the functionality of the system. A loss of integrity in an IACS can have severe consequences, such as physical damage, environmental harm, or human injury. Therefore, IACS cybersecurity must address safety issues, which are not typically considered in IT security. Safety is the ability of the system to prevent or mitigate hazardous events that can cause harm to people, property, or the environment. The ISA/IEC 62443 standards provide guidance and best practices for ensuring the safety and security of IACS, as well as the availability and reliability of the system. Availability is the ability of the system to perform its intended function when required, and reliability is the ability of the system to perform its intended function without failure. These properties are also important for IT systems, but they may have different trade-offs and implications for IACS. For example, an IACS may have stricter performance and availability requirements than an IT system, as a delay or disruption in the IACS operation can affect the industrial process and its outcomes. Additionally, an IACS may have longer equipment lifetimes and less frequent maintenance windows than an IT system, which can make patching and updating more difficult and risky. Furthermore, an IACS may use different technologies and architectures than an IT system, such as legacy devices, proprietary protocols, or specialized hardware. These factors can create compatibility and interoperability issues, as well as increase the attack surface and complexity of the IACS. Therefore, IT security solutions and practices may not be sufficient or suitable for IACS, and they may need to be adapted or supplemented by IACS-specific security measures. The ISA/IEC 62443 standards address these differences and provide a comprehensive framework for securing IACS throughout their lifecycle.
References: 1: Security of Industrial Automation and Control Systems – ISAGCA 2: ISA/IEC 62443 Series of Standards – ISA 3: ISA/IEC 62443 Series of Standards | ISAGCA 4: Securing IACS based on ISA/IEC 62443
– Part 1: The Big Picture
* The key differences between IT (Information Technology) systems and IACS (Industrial Automation and Control Systems) are centered on their primary security objectives and operational requirements:
* Option A: The IACS security priority is integrity. This is crucial because any unauthorized modification of data or commands can lead to severe operational disruptions and safety hazards.
* Option C: IACS cybersecurity must address safety issues. Safety is a primary concern in IACS environments where process disruptions or malfunctions can result in harm to human operators or damage to equipment. The primary security priority in traditional IT systems is often confidentiality, not availability as stated in Option B, and routers are commonly used in IACS networks, contrary to Option
D.