Cybersecurity ISA-IEC-62443 Updated Exam

Packet filter firewalls, as defined by ISA/IEC 62443 standards on cybersecurity, primarily examine the source, destination, and ports in the header of each packet. This type of firewall does not inspect the packet content deeply (such as its structure or sequence) or maintain awareness of the relationships between packets in a session. Instead, it operates at a more superficial level, filtering packets based solely on IP addresses and TCP/UDP ports. This approach allows packet filter firewalls to quickly process and either accept or block packets based on these predefined criteria without delving into the complexities of session management or the content of the packets up to the application layer.

The “Addressing Risk” CSMS category consists of three element groups: Security Policy, Organization and Awareness; Selected Security Countermeasures; and Implementation of Security Program1. These element groups cover the aspects of defining the security objectives, roles and responsibilities, policies and procedures, awareness and training, security countermeasures selection and implementation, and security program execution and maintenance1. The “Addressing Risk” CSMS category aims to reduce the security risk to an acceptable level by applying appropriate security measures to the system under consideration (SuC)1. References: 1: ISA/IEC 62443-2-1: Security for industrial automation and control systems: Establishing an industrial automation and control systems security program

 The ISASecure conformance certification program is managed by the Security Compliance Institute (ISCI), a non-profit organization established in 2007 by a group of industry stakeholders, including end users, suppliers, and integrators. ISCI’s mission is to provide a common industry-accepted set of device and process requirements that drive device security, simplifying procurement for asset owners and device assurance for equipment vendors12. References: 1: ISASecure - IEC 62443 Conformance Certification - Official Site 2: Certifications - ISASecure

Patches are software updates that fix bugs, vulnerabilities, or improve performance or functionality. Patches are important for maintaining the security and reliability of an IACS environment, but they also pose some challenges and risks. Applying patches in an IACS environment is not as simple as in an IT environment, because patches may affect the availability, integrity, or safety of the IACS. Therefore, patches should not be applied blindly or automatically, but based on the organization’s risk assessment. The risk assessment should consider the following factors: 1

• The severity and likelihood of the vulnerability that the patch addresses
• The impact of the patch on the IACS functionality and performance
• The compatibility of the patch with the IACS components and configuration
• The availability of a backup or recovery plan in case the patch fails or causes problems
• The testing and validation of the patch before applying it to the production system
• The communication and coordination with the stakeholders involved in the patching process
• The documentation and auditing of the patching activities and results References: ISA TR62443-2-3 - Security for industrial automation and control systems, Part 2-3: Patch management in the IACS environment