Many industrial operations depend on industrial control systems (ICS). They are used in industries like data, electricity, water, oil, and gas, they are also used in sectors like financial services and retail.
The defense of industrial control systems against attacks from online attackers is referred to as ICS security. It is frequently called security or OT security.
What are Industrial Control Systems (ICS)?
ICS are systems for controlling and monitoring industrial operations. Systems for electrical grid usage or alerts from building information systems could all be examples of ICS. ICSs are often highly available, mission-critical applications.
They are essential to many business operations. They have grown to be high-profile targets for cybercriminals. These criminals may break into ICS to harm the systems directly or use them to access other components of a company’s IT infrastructure.
What Is Malware?
Malware is a software that infects systems to harm, disable, or exploit the computer or network. Malware is known to:
- Steal, encrypt, or delete private information,
- Hijack or change essential system functions,
- Unauthorizedly observe user behavior,
- Demand money, and
- Introduce spam or forced advertising.
Various Malware Types to Watch Out For
- Adware: Adware is software that automatically distributes adverts to make money for its developer. It frequently works in tandem with spyware.
- Ransomware: Until a ransom is paid, ransomware prevents users from accessing a system or its data. It frequently threatens to publish or delete data.
- Spyware: It is created to gather data on a user or company. Once installed, it can record keystrokes and retrieve private data. Hackers may be able to view and hear through cameras and microphones with the use of spyware.
- Trojan horse: A Trojan horse is malicious software that fools users into installing it. It does this by pretending to be trustworthy software.
- Virus: A virus is a piece of code that can duplicate itself and propagate to other devices, but it requires another application or user activity to run it to do so.
- Worms: Worms are one of the most hazardous types of malware since they may reproduce on their own without being connected to a program or being run by a user. Worms are also the most prevalent sort of malware.
Read: How Can You Protect Your Devices From Malware In 10 Steps
7 Ways to Detect Malware in Your ICS
Malware assaults may be reliably detected and blocked. The following methods can help safeguard your ICS and ICS networks from getting infected with harmful software.
1. Use an Integrated Endpoint Security System
An integrated endpoint security system is also known as endpoint threat detection and response (ETDR). ETDR combines real-time, continuous monitoring and gathering of endpoint data with rules-based automated reaction and analysis capabilities.
It employs a high degree of automation to detect malware on hosts and endpoints. This allows security teams to quickly identify and address malware. EDR security system helps detect malware on ICS network system by carrying out the following duties:
- It monitors and gathers endpoint activity data that may signal a danger
- It analyzes this data to spot threat patterns
- Automatically removes or contains risks when they are detected, alerting security staff.
2. Implement Asset Inventory management
Asset inventory management involves maintaining an accurate inventory of all the hardware and software used by an organization. This often covers all software licenses and hardware, both on and off the network, managed and unmanaged, mobile and fixed, IoT devices, ICS, etc.
With this knowledge in hand, you can begin to make important choices regarding your risk profile. You can make sure that all digital assets are protected from malware. You can choose security and privacy tools more effectively if you are aware of your environment. These tools will help detect malware.
Additionally, asset inventory management creates the framework for a solid, mature security strategy. Enterprises may keep an accurate and current asset inventory that is real-time. It is highly accessible, and continuous by adopting both a proactive and automated strategy.
3. Implement OT Vulnerability Management and Patch Management
A security team often uses vulnerability management technology to find vulnerabilities. They can then apply various patching or remediation procedures to close them. Vulnerability management and patch management are not the same. Simple patching cannot and should not replace vulnerability management in your ICS security practice.
OT vulnerability management is a more holistic approach to ICS security. The knowledge about their key differences can help you configure your OT security systems better.
Patch Management vs OT Vulnerability Management
OT vulnerability management involves discovering, assessing, prioritizing, and reporting cyber vulnerabilities across endpoints. Vulnerability management best practices prioritize risks and address vulnerabilities as soon as feasible. It does this by using threat intelligence and knowledge of IT and business operations.
Applying software upgrades to your OT systems is a step in a patch management procedure. Patch management also helps to review patches for applicability and OEM-vendor approval. It involves developing deployment or malware mitigation strategies
4. Implement Privilege Access Management in ICS systems
The technique of managing all privileged access to a system through a single platform is known as privileged access management.
You can implement user privilege access management to help detect malware by adopting the following tools.
- Access Manager: This program controls and keeps track of all privileged account access. The access manager allows privileged users to request access to a variety of systems. This guarantees that only authorized individuals have access to crucial systems and data. And if credentials are stolen, it may assist in detecting malware infiltration.
- Session Manager: It keeps a secure log of all actions performed during privileged sessions that may be later reviewed and audited. Additionally, it offers real-time monitoring. It also enables super administrators to end sessions right once they notice any questionable behavior.
- Password Vault/Manager: The Password Manager helps enforce password best practices. It does this by preventing users from knowing the actual root passwords of any key systems. To lessen risk exposure, the passwords are kept in an encrypted digital vault.
5. Use Anti-malware
Antivirus and anti-malware programs help spot and guard against numerous common and uncommon malware-related threats on your endpoint devices or broader networks. You can protect your ICS systems by using antimalware for the following purposes
- User-level security: It can be downloaded to your computer or mobile device. It searches for any malware or viruses that may already be installed on your device. You will be informed if it finds any so you can decide whether to quarantine or remove them.
- Network-level protection: This category of network appliance protects your network from malware that enters through the network traffic.
- Server-level protection: This software is excellent for guarding your ICS against malware.
6. Use a Firewall
A firewall is an additional layer of security that provides your devices and network with stronger security. Between the internet and your IT infrastructure, a firewall serves as a barrier that prevents several virus attacks.
Any illegal access to your network is discovered, and if the firewall detects malicious activity, it stops it. The user can configure a firewall to control which traffic is allowed and which needs to be prevented. The user can therefore specify which IP addresses or ports should be blocked or opened.
7. Use an intrusion detection system (IDS)
An IDS is a piece of hardware or software that monitors both incoming and outgoing network traffic for unusual activity. It uses recognized intrusion signatures. The following are some ways that an IDS can assist with ICS system malware detection:
- Malware signature comparisons with system files.
- Scanners that look for potentially dangerous trends.
- Observing user actions to spot malicious intent.
- Observing system configurations.
An IDS can also remove a user from the network for violating security rules. It can help notify security personnel when it finds a virus or configuration issue.
Read: Remove Vbs:malware-Gen From Windows 10/8/7 In Easy Steps | 3 Methods
Conclusion
Infections with malware can be fatal for ICS. Malware can seriously harm your ICS by disrupting essential procedures and stealing or encrypting vital data. Use the seven suggestions provided here to safeguard ICS against malware attacks.