A Survey of Security Frameworks Suitable for Distributed Control Systems

Abstract

Nowadays distributed control systems have become more and more common and important in everyday life. However, as many distributed control systems become mobile, wireless, autonomous, ubiquitous and connected, the need for secure communication is imminent. In particular, the need for a general security framework with sufficiently flexible structure, and applicable for various use cases, emerges. Especially this applies to control system based on heterogeneous networks consisting of a wired and a wireless parts. Wired networks are nowadays often connected to Internet and thereby more exposed to potential attackers, and wireless networks are, by nature, more vulnerable to eavesdropping, jamming and hijacking. In this paper we define a scope of use cases based on distributed control, together with requirements for evaluating existing security solutions and frameworks. In addition, several frameworks, mainly from the area of industrial automation, are surveyed and evaluated based on the identified use cases and security requirements.