Siemens SIBERprotect system for real-time protection of OT during cyber-attack.
SIBERprotect activates a real-time lockdown in milliseconds.
SIBERprotect is part of the Siemens Defense in Depth suite, in accordance with IEC 62443, the international standard for industrial cybersecurity.
SIBERprotect can isolate an effected area of production immediately, by engaging the actual PLC technology on machines and equipment, rather than simply alerting a Security Operations Center (SOC).
Following years of technical development and operational implementation design, Siemens has introduced SIBERprotect for protection of critical infrastructure and OT systems at various industrial concerns, including power plants, water treatment facilities, all types of discrete manufacturing enterprises, military depots, data centers and control stations. SIBERprotect brings the Security, Orchestration, Automation, Response (SOAR) concept to cyber-physical systems with an OT-friendly and OT-managed methodology.
SIBERprotect can respond to and limit the impact of a cyber-attack within milliseconds, resulting in the identification of the infected production equipment groups or plant networks and enabling full visibility and a fast initial response at the automation system level. This quick response leads to easier remediation and resumption of normal operations, usually in less than a day.
Working in conjunction with Siemens SCALANCE S industrial security appliances, SIBERprotect can securely place OT into a safe, isolated condition, after determining the credible identification of a cyber-attack through advanced threat detection technology, including Intrusion Detection Systems, Next Generation Firewalls, Endpoint Solutions, Threat/Risk Intelligence and other attack or intrusion detection platforms, often enhanced with AI and machine learning capabilities. SIBERprotect then initiates a rule-based notification, network isolation and equipment management sequence to protect the selected equipment, as well as other desired response actions. Rapid assessment and remediation can then be performed, vastly limiting the risk of additional malware contamination. Work cells and equipment clusters can continue operation, while SIBERprotect prevents recontamination during remediation.
SIBERprotect further provides detailed situational awareness, alerting operators to the exact nature of the threat, where it was detected in the network and a criticality level. This level of immediately available detail allows the response engine to simultaneously execute emergency measures to alleviate predetermined worst-case scenarios.
"Unlike a conventional system that merely sends messages to a Security Operations Center (SOC), the SIBERprotect system is linked directly to network firewalls, automation hardware and a prioritized system of alarms to facilitate isolation of equipment and jumpstart the cyber incident response," said a company spokesperson. After a thorough introduction to SIBERprotect, many automation engineers label it a cyber safety system or Cyber-SIS.
Other key features of SIBERprotect include the ability to automatically activate emergency backup equipment, interface with legacy technology such as Ethernet hubs, recover one segment or "restore all" functionality, isolate from the site IT network to prevent attack and provide all the benefits of a truly industrial solution.
As Chuck Tommey, a digital connectivity executive with Siemens, explained, "SIBERprotect represents the reimagining of how to do SOAR, where an alert was typically sent to an SOC, then reviewed by a security analyst and addressed 30 minutes to hours after initial detection. Meanwhile, a virus could spread throughout a line or the entire plant. What Siemens is doing with SIBERprotect is sending the alerts directly to a PLC for instant action, based upon a predetermined priority of status and threat levels." Tommey noted that the PLC parses the messages for its criticality level and instantly responds.
SIBERprotect is part of the overall Defense In Depth suite offered by Siemens in compliance with IEC 62443, the international standard for industrial cybersecurity.
For more information contact:
Siemens DCP
usa.siemens.com/industrial-cybersecurity