Security fusion implementation and optimization in SCADA systems

SCADA systems are the control backbone of the utility industry where control is critical to the treatment, generation, and distribution of electrical, water, sewage, oil, and gas utilities. These SCADA systems utilize well-known behavior with limited variability. Trust of these control systems is vital to proper operation since improper operation could lead to catastrophic environmental disasters. Trust anchors can be used to provide this desired trust for the SCADA systems and these trust anchors can provide integrity for the required signals and assist in ensuring high availability of the SCADA system. However the implementation of a large number of trust anchors may not be possible due to the size of the deployed system and cost of a complete system replacement. This paper defines how a trust anchor implementation could be optimized and can utilize a security fusion methodology to provide adequate security protection and trust in the system for a reasonable investment.