An IIoT-Based Networked Industrial Control System Architecture to Secure Industrial Applications

Abstract

Behind the great success of the current internet, Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) and Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) standards play the most important role. Whereas, due to a lack of standard architectures, industrial internet is lagging behind. This makes industrial internet applications experience increased security risks due to their integration with the information technology and exposure to the public internet. In this research, we propose a layered architecture for industrial internet of things (IIoT) based networked industrial control systems (n-ICS). Layer-wise functionality of this architecture could be useful in identifying necessary security protocols for each layer. Subsequently, this might assist in allocating resources towards the secure operation of industrial applications. To validate the proposed architecture, we modelled a water flow control system, where we demonstrated a data deception attack on its operation at the physical layer. This demonstration validates that from within the close proximity of networked control systems, threat actors can launch possible attacks to deceive physical industrial applications. Our proposed system includes a network communication architecture and a corresponding security architecture aligning with the network architecture. This will facilitate the design of security suites and/or the allocation of security resources on the basis of layered network functionalities.