INL INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT CYBER RESILIENT TRADE-OFF EVALUATION (CYRTE): PIONEERING STRATEGY FOR OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SECURITY

INL Innovation Spotlight

Cyber Resilient Trade-off Evaluation (CyRTE): Pioneering Strategy for Operational Technology Security

CyRTE introduces a groundbreaking approach to evaluate and enhance the cyber resilience of Operational Technologies (OT), balancing security measures with operational integrity.

Overview:        

As critical infrastructure increasingly relies on networked control systems, they become vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats. Traditional cybersecurity measures, while necessary, often fall short in protecting OT systems effectively. CyRTE is developed in response to this challenge, providing a resilience-informed, AI-driven process to assess the impact of cybersecurity mitigations on the operation and stability of OT systems. This technology is essential for evaluating automated responses in advance of application, leveraging the power of software defined networks and other response technologies that can nullify an intrusion. Industries where operational technology is critical, such as utilities, manufacturing, and transport, will be benefited in advancing cyber resilience, especially in a landscape where cyber threats are rapidly evolving and becoming more automated.

Description:   

CyRTE offers a novel methodology for assessing cyber-physical interactions and their implications on OT systems. It involves a comprehensive evaluation of potential cybersecurity mitigations and their effects on system performance and reliability. The core of CyRTE is the creation of a "buzzer" concept – a unique tool that systematically tests the resilience of OT systems against various cyber-physical response strategies. This includes the development of digital twins for systemic testing, ensuring that cybersecurity measures do not adversely affect the physical operations of the system before application. By integrating this approach into existing engineering workstations and design tools, CyRTE enables a holistic understanding of communication dependencies and potential impacts of cyber responses.

Benefits:          

• Enhanced Cyber Resilience: Provides robust defense against sophisticated cyber threats.
• Operational Integrity: Ensures that cybersecurity measures do not compromise system functionality.
• Innovative Assessment Tool: The "buzzer" concept uniquely evaluates cyber-physical responses.
• Systemic Testing: Utilizes digital twins for safe and comprehensive testing scenarios.
• Industry Versatility: Applicable across various sectors reliant on operational technologies.

Applications:    

• Critical infrastructure systems like power grids, water treatment facilities, and transportation networks.
• Manufacturing and industrial control systems.
• Utilities and energy sector, including nuclear and renewable energy plants.
• Chemical and process industries.
• Research and development in cybersecurity for operational technologies.

Development Status: 

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2: Technology concept and/or application formulated.

IP Status:        

US Patent Application No. 18/465,852, “Cyber Resilient Trade-Off Evaluation Systems for Operational Technology Environments, Including Related Methods and Computer Readable Media,” BEA Docket No. BA-1407.

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