From Safety to Security: Integrating Functional Safety Principles with NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 for Critical Infrastructure Resilience
- functional safety, ICS cyber security, ics security, ics security assurance, ics security training, ics security vulnerabilities, operational safety, safety first
Towards Safe, Secure, and Reliable Production Operations
NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 provides guidelines for securing industrial control systems (ICS), which are an integral part of critical infrastructure. While functional safety and cybersecurity are distinct disciplines, there are correlations between the security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 and the concept of functional safety. Here are some correlations to consider:
- Access Control (AC): Access control measures in NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 aim to prevent unauthorized access to critical systems. Similarly, in the context of functional safety, access control measures are essential to ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with safety-critical components. By aligning access control mechanisms, organizations can protect against both cybersecurity threats and unauthorized actions that may compromise functional safety.
- Audit and Accountability (AU): The AU controls in NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 focus on monitoring and recording system activities to facilitate the detection and investigation of security incidents. In the context of functional safety, having audit and accountability mechanisms allows organizations to monitor and track changes to safety-critical systems. This helps in identifying potential deviations from established safety requirements or unauthorized modifications that may impact the overall safety integrity of the system.
- Incident Response (IR): The incident response controls in NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 guide organizations in establishing procedures to respond to and recover from security incidents. In functional safety, incident response protocols are critical to managing and mitigating safety-related incidents or hazardous situations. Aligning incident response processes between security and safety domains ensures a coordinated approach to handle both cybersecurity incidents and safety incidents effectively.
- System and Communications Protection (SC): System and communications protection controls in NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 emphasize securing network connections, enforcing encryption, and implementing firewalls. In functional safety, ensuring the security of communication protocols and protecting the integrity and availability of critical control system networks are crucial to maintaining safety-critical operations. By aligning security controls for system and communications protection, organizations can enhance both the security and functional safety of critical infrastructure.
- System and Information Integrity (SI): The SI controls in NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 address measures to detect, prevent, and recover from system and information integrity violations. In the context of functional safety, ensuring the integrity of safety-related information and maintaining the integrity of safety-critical systems is paramount. Aligning system and information integrity measures between security and safety domains helps in protecting against both cybersecurity attacks and potential compromises to the integrity of safety functions.
By aligning the security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3 with the concept of functional safety, organizations can establish a comprehensive approach that addresses both safety and security concerns in critical infrastructure. This integration helps ensure the safety and security of critical systems, promotes resilience, and reduces the risks associated with cyber threats and safety incidents.
