Aligning Continuous Intrusion Detection with IEC 62443 Standards

Introduction: 

The IEC 62443 standard applies to both IoT and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technologies and is designed to address cybersecurity for a wide range of industrial automation and control systems, which include both IoT and IIoT devices. In the world of IoT there are a crazy amount of solutions to securing these platforms, so we are going to try and keep it simple.

In the face of increasing cybersecurity threats, aligning with IEC 62443 standards is crucial for securing critical infrastructure. This blog defines the core elements of IEC 62443 and demonstrates how qomodo, as pioneers in providing threat-led embedded IDS/IPS solutions for IoT and IIoT, aligns with these standards to deliver unprecedented visibility and protection for industrial automation and control systems (IACS). It will also provide specific use cases in which our solution will help to reduce the security exposure of your technologies, provide security observability for security teams and ultimately provide business risk mitigations which are not there today.

Understanding IEC 62443

The IEC 62443 standards are a comprehensive framework developed to address cybersecurity in industrial automation and control systems (IACS). They are organised into several key parts:

General Concepts and Models (IEC 62443-1-1): 

Establishes the foundational terminology, concepts, and models used throughout the IEC 62443 series. It provides a common understanding and language for stakeholders to discuss and implement cybersecurity measures in IACS environments.

Security Program Requirements (IEC 62443-2-1): 

Specifies the requirements for setting up and maintaining an IACS security program. It outlines the processes and practices necessary for organisations to manage cybersecurity risks effectively, including risk assessments, policies, procedures, and governance structures.

System Security Requirements and Security Levels (IEC 62443-3-3): 

Details the security levels and system requirements for IACS. It defines different security levels based on the criticality of the system and the potential impact of a security breach. It also provides a set of system requirements to achieve the desired security level, ensuring that appropriate security controls are in place.

Technical Security Requirements for IACS Components (IEC 62443-4-2): 

Defines the security requirements for individual IACS components, such as controllers, sensors, and actuators. It specifies the technical measures and capabilities that these components must have to ensure their security and resilience against cyber threats.

This is, of course, just a brief overview. To read the full set of standards, please see here.

How qomodo aligns with IEC 62443

Now that we have a better understanding of how IEC 62443 standards are structured, the natural question is so what? How do we fit into IEC 62443? …

Let's explore how qomodo's embedded IDS/IPS solution fits in with specific parts of these standards via our core and upcoming functionalities:

Asset Identification and Inventory (IEC 62443-2-1, SR 4.2.3.4):

Requires the identification and documentation of all assets within the IACS environment. qomodo is planning to address this by providing continuous monitoring of OT and IoT network devices, ensuring an accurate and up-to-date asset inventory. This comprehensive visibility into all connected devices will help you identify, categorise, and assess security risks, which is essential for maintaining a robust security posture.

Network Diagram Development (IEC 62443-2-1, SR 4.2.3.5):

The requirement for detailed network diagrams. We facilitate this by developing comprehensive reporting which highlights network zoning and asset risk levels. This enhances your understanding and management of security zones, ensuring that assets are correctly segmented and protected according to their risk profiles.

Vulnerability Assessment (IEC 62443-2-1, SR 4.2.3.7):

Mandates regular assessment and prioritisation of vulnerabilities. qomodo’s embedded IDS/IPS continuously detects and prioritises vulnerabilities, providing accurate information in real-time by utilising threat intelligence and our honeypot network. This enables targeted and efficient mitigation strategies, helping you adopt a proactive, risk-based approach to cybersecurity.

Continuous Risk Assessment (IEC 62443-2-1, SR 4.2.3.9 & SR 4.2.3.12):

Emphasises the importance of ongoing risk assessments throughout the IACS lifecycle. qomodo supports this by facilitating continuous and adaptive risk evaluations. Unlike traditional point-in-time or network-only solutions, qomodo’s embedded IDS/IPS offers continuous SBOM and system risk analysis, fundamentally transforming the approach to risk assessment. This ensures that your security risk awareness remains up-to-date and responsive to changes in the environment, providing real-time detection and (in time) mitigation of threats and maintaining compliance with IEC 62443 standards.

Incident Response and Reporting (IEC 62443-2-1, SR 4.3.4.5.1 & SR 4.3.4.5.6): 

Asks for effective incident response and reporting procedures. We address this by offering response playbooks and integration capabilities with incident management systems. This capability streamlines your incident response, whilst accelerating your response efforts, and ensuring thorough reporting of security incidents.

Protection Against Network Threats (IEC 62443-3-3, SR 3.3.3.1 & SR 3.3.3.2): 

Focuses on protecting against network threats in IACS environments. qomodo detects and will be able to mitigate (in our roadmap) communication integrity violations and malicious code, ensuring the integrity of transmitted information and preventing unauthorised software changes. Given that IoT itself can be a significant network threat, our embedded IDS/IPS offers robust protection against specific threats like zero-day exploits by continuously monitoring for anomalous behaviour, providing real-time alerts, and blocking communication integrity violations such as man-in-the-middle attacks. Additionally, it identifies and neutralises malicious code and prevents unauthorised software changes, thereby safeguarding critical operations from potential cyber threats.

Specific Use Cases

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

In today's interconnected world, safeguarding critical infrastructure is paramount. Our solution provides continuous monitoring and real-time threat detection capabilities, which are crucial for identifying and mitigating advanced cyber threats targeting essential services and infrastructure. By constantly monitoring network traffic and system behaviour utilising AI, qomodo ensures operational continuity and enhances security measures. This proactive approach not only protects against potential disruptions caused by cyberattacks but also strengthens resilience against evolving threats, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains secure and operational.

Securing Industrial IoT Deployments

The proliferation of IoT devices in industrial environments brings unique cybersecurity challenges. We address these challenges by offering robust security measures tailored to protect diverse IoT devices. In Q4 our agent will be capable of maintaining accurate inventories of assets and Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), essential for tracking and managing device configurations and vulnerabilities. By continuously monitoring for exploitable vulnerabilities and unauthorised access attempts, qomodo safeguards the integrity and functionality of IoT deployments. This proactive monitoring not only prevents potential security breaches but also ensures that industrial processes remain uninterrupted and secure, reducing the amount of costly downtime.

Enhancing Compliance and Audit Readiness

Adhering to cybersecurity standards such as IEC 62443 is critical for organisations operating in sensitive sectors. While we may be a small part of this, we can support you in your compliance efforts by providing regular reporting and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments. These assessments not only ensure alignment with industry standards but also prepare organisations for regulatory audits and assessments. By utilising qomodo you demonstrate your commitment to being compliant which will increase trust among stakeholders and regulatory bodies, whilst underscoring your organisation's determination to safeguard sensitive data and ensure operational continuity.

From protecting critical infrastructure and securing industrial IoT deployments to enhancing compliance and audit readiness, qomodo offers tailored solutions that ensure operational continuity, mitigate risks, and strengthen cybersecurity postures.

If you have questions about securing your critical infrastructure or industrial IoT deployments. Contact us today to discuss your specific cybersecurity needs or to schedule a discussion.