Oil & gas Unbreaking the record for
has raised cyber-security risks. Cyber-attacks can also affect critical
cyber-attacks B
ut why the rise in incidents? One explanation is that the increased move towards digitalisation and Industry 4.0
network infrastructure (CNI) like energy, water or oil and gas networks - the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Council (NCSC) is always concerned about Britain’s water supply chain being hacked. Cyberthreats to CNIs include espionage, targeted attacks from malicious actors, such as hostile states and criminals, and accidental data loss. All have the potential to disrupt our lives and damage the economy. But how can CNI operators embrace digital
transformation and all its benefits without inviting cybersecurity risks? The answer lies in RTUs and deployment with the latest NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF).
SecURe eASe-OF-AcceSS For decades, telemetry unit systems have been used for remote monitoring of power consumption and battery backup in networks for energy, water and telecommunications by gathering information
According to Forbes, 2020 broke all records for data lost in breaches and sheer numbers of cyber-attacks on companies, individuals and governments. These threats are also becoming more sophisticated with emerging technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence and 5G. Fortunately, remote telemetry units (RTUs) allow for better control and visibility when accompanied by advanced development and deployment techniques. Here, Matthew Hawkridge, chief technology officer at Ovarro, the supplier and manufacturer of remote monitoring technologies, explains why secure RTUs can mitigate threats against critical national infrastructure.
about critical assets. They work on the simple premise that, if the condition of an asset is understood, then it can be managed efficiently and respond quickly to change. There is immense value in being able to optimise operations and to detect and respond faster to impending issues. These systems are also equipped for Wi-Fi and the advent of 5G - for example, for process plants with servers in the cloud or in a nearby, air-conditioned control room, the RTU gathers information about critical assets. RTUs are emerging as one of the drivers for the IoT because they can gather and manage large volumes of data for analysis. Also, they are secure against cyber-attacks. Ovarro’s TBox RTU is equipped with a Firewall with four levels of authority, HTTP
session authentication and SSL/TLS and X.509 certificates. It also meets the IEEE802.1X standard for devices that connect with other devices on local area networks (LANs). Ovarro also works with highly qualified “CHECK” approved third party penetration testers, cybersecurity experts that help us investigate and discover potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in our products’ defences. It also publishes security advisories on new discoveries upon patching for complete transparency. Going forward, Ovarro is committed to meeting the IEC-62443 standard to secure industrial automation and control technology systems. But how are these efforts applied in a real-world setting, and where do RTUs fit in?
BeTTeR IndUSTRy 4.0 PetroChina Southwest Oil and Gas Field Company approached Ovarro to support with a digital upgrade project at its Chongqing Gas
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October 2021 Instrumentation Monthly
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