INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Virtually every U.S. citizen counts on the nation’s critical infrastructure for services and products that touch their lives daily. These mission-critical operations include 16 public and private sectors that the federal Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has deemed to be so crucial that their destruction or disruption would seriously impact the nation’s security, economy or public health.

The country’s thousands of critical infrastructure sites, including communications, transportation, energy, healthcare and food, often have very little in common with their distinct function, size, location and many other factors. Yet, there are commonalities in how they are effectively secured.

Innovation is often key to a successful security effort. Traditional systems and plans – perfectly adequate for a small retail operation or office building – may lack the sophistication to ward off a disaster at facilities targeted by highly focused terrorists. These critical sites require newer technologies or innovative uses of existing equipment, staff and policies and procedures.

However, a successful plan requires more than merely installing the proper equipment. A layered approach, in which the disparate systems integrate and communicate to create the synergy necessary to protect critical infrastructure from risk and liability. It’s a constant battle staying ahead of evolving threats aimed at disrupting these critical sites’ functions.

WHERE TO BEGIN

Preparing and executing a critical infrastructure security plan requires a systems integrator’s assistance. Choose one with a proven track record in this area. However, doing the work the way it’s been done for years isn’t enough. Look for an integrator capable of thinking outside the box, demonstrated through innovative uses of existing equipment and regular testing of new solutions.

The lines between physical and cybersecurity are blurring, making sure the integrator is comfortable with network technology. Seek a provider looking to the future with an understanding of artificial intelligence and other pioneering technologies.

Before beginning any new or retrofit security project, ask your integrator to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. It should look at surrounding land uses and site access. Consider the expected number of employees and required parking. Will visitors and vendors need access to the site? Identify the security and communications equipment required, as well as written operational policies and procedures. A good study identifies a site’s security strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that limited budgets are spent wisely.

It is impossible to create a one-size-fits-all security plan that fits every critical infrastructure site, each with its own set of challenges. For example, unattended remote facilities may require a battery or solar-powered equipment. Microwave and drone systems help protect perimeters on larger sites. Busy sites benefit from a visitor management system to track vendors.

But let’s take a more in-depth look at recent changes to two commonly used security technologies – access control and video surveillance.

THE NEW ACCESS CONTROL

For more than 40 years, Wiegand protocol systems have dominated access control and are still widely used. However, these systems lack signal encryption between proximity cards and readers. Hackers have tools enabling them to intercept transmissions and easily create a working credential.

The Open Supervised Device Protocol, recently accepted as an international access control standard, uses highly secure AES 128- or 256-bit encryption and advanced readers and smartcard technologies. OSDP enables administrators to regularly and simultaneously push new encryption keys to a few or thousands of card readers across one or multiple sites. There’s no need to create a new card for each user as the latest credentials contain multiple codes. Hackers are effectively blocked. Any critical infrastructure site still using the Wiegand protocol must upgrade immediately.

The days of plastic credentials are numbered as other available access control technologies provide greater security and convenience.

Biometrics, which measure unique body characteristics, are recognized by most security professionals as the most accurate method for identity authentication. Biometrics, integrated with card-based systems, enable two-factor identity authentication at the most sensitive entry points. As prices of biometric systems have fallen, they are entirely replacing cards in some facilities.

A biometric system eliminates the need for employees to carry cards or remember a PIN. Once enrolled in a site’s database, employees’ biometrics are recognized at other locations on the same network. Unlike cards, a biometric can’t be lost or shared. Also, face- and iris-based recognition systems are touchless – an essential consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic. And irisbased systems are unaffected by personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks and goggles.

Smartphones are another potential card replacement. An app turns an employee’s mobile phone into a virtual key, enabling it to communicate with readers using an encrypted Bluetooth signal. Sending the app via email to visitors and vendors allows them to enter pre-approved doors without registering at the front desk.

TAMING FALSE ALARMS

Critical infrastructure sites often monitor their live video surveillance feeds. More extensive facilities may involve hundreds of cameras and monitoring all is a trying process under the best of circumstances. False alarms, triggered by harmless events such as blowing tree branches, make the job more difficult. Operators diverted from handling genuine alerts reduce a site’s overall security.

Recently introduced software using artificial intelligence eliminates 90% or more of false alarms by focusing only on movement by humans or vehicles.

This article originally appeared in the April 2021 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Until We Meet Again

    A short three years ago we were all pondering whether to attend any tradeshows all thanks to COVID-19. Sorry to bring that nightmare up again, but it seems that little pandemic is in the rear-view mirror, and it’s time to meet again. Read Now

    • ISC West
  • Cyber Hygiene: What it Looks Like for IoT Devices

    Cyber Hygiene: What it Looks Like for IoT Devices

    For our second pillar about the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Pillars of Security, we are going to discuss what cyber hygiene looks like for IoT devices. Read Now

  • ISC West Announces 2023 Keynote Series Speaker Lineup

    The International Security Conference (ISC), in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA), announced five of this year’s ISC West Keynote Series speakers. ISC West will kick off its annual conference on March 28 (SIA Education@ISC: March 28-30 | Exhibit Hall: March 29-31) at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read Now

    • ISC West
  • Accelerating Security Modernization

    In recent years, the term “digital transformation” has been one of the most frequently used buzzwords across industries. On its most basic level, it refers to the reimagining of how an organization leverages its technology systems to improve business processes. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • ComNet NW1 Gen 4

    ComNet NW1 Gen 4

    ComNet, Communication Networks, is announcing the introduction of its Generation 4 line of NetWave® wireless products that offer greater performance and increased stability in applications where throughput and increased bandwidth is increasingly important. 3

  • Dinkle DKU Barrier Terminal Blocks

    Dinkle DKU Barrier Terminal Blocks

    New DKU screw type terminal blocks use a spring-guided system where the screws are integrated and captive within the terminal enclosure. These screws can be backed out so that ring- or U-shaped cable lugs can be inserted, without the possibility of losing the screw. 3

  • LiftMaster Garage Door Opener

    LiftMaster Garage Door Opener

    LiftMaster Transforms the Garage Door Opener Into a Sleek Smart Home Device That Does More Than Open and Close the Garage Door 3