The International Society of Automation (ISA) has responded to a widely circulated report from the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy that calls for a unified US national strategy to address the serious workforce development needs presented by the multi-dimensional threats of cyber attacks.
While commending the Pell Center for bringing greater attention to this vital challenge, 2014 ISA President Peggie Koon, Ph.D., emphasises in a letter to the center that a comprehensive workforce development strategy is being implemented to train and prepare those responsible for protecting the critical and industrial infrastructure that forms the foundation of modern economies, and serves as the greatest potential target of cyber terrorists and the greatest risk of potential damage from cyber attack.
The Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, published in early 2014 by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, sets forth guidelines to help owners and operators involved in the critical and industrial infrastructure identify, assess and manage cyber risk. The Framework is based on the input of leading cybersecurity experts from government and multiple industry sectors.
Cited throughout the Framework, Dr. Koon notes, is a series of standards on industrial automation and control systems security that are being developed by ISA in an international effort involving experts from more than 200 companies and organizations representing energy, water and wastewater, food and beverage processing, chemicals, petroleum refining and other vital industry sectors. The standards, designated the ISA 62443 series, are being adopted as they are completed by the Geneva-based International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as the IEC 62443 series, assuring recognition by industries and governments across the globe.
The Pell Center report, Professionalizing Cybersecurity: A Path for Universal Standards and Status, makes the important point that the technology for combating cyber attacks is only as good as the people who develop, implement and maintain it. However, for those responsible for protecting the critical infrastructure and industrial base, the required expertise extends well beyond the tools and technology of cybersecurity, Dr. Koon points out: “They require an understanding of the engineering interactions of complex automation and control systems—in which cyber vulnerabilities exploited in sectors such as energy production and distribution, water treatment, refining and chemicals can disrupt and damage multiple sectors, with potentially severe consequences for public health and welfare, and on a vast and interconnected economy.“
"As the leading professional association for automation and control systems engineers and practitioners, ISA represents the very people who must meet the great and challenging demands for knowledge and expertise in protecting the industrial and critical infrastructure,” states Patrick Gouhin, ISA Executive Director and CEO.
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| Dr Peggie Koon |
The Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, published in early 2014 by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, sets forth guidelines to help owners and operators involved in the critical and industrial infrastructure identify, assess and manage cyber risk. The Framework is based on the input of leading cybersecurity experts from government and multiple industry sectors.
Cited throughout the Framework, Dr. Koon notes, is a series of standards on industrial automation and control systems security that are being developed by ISA in an international effort involving experts from more than 200 companies and organizations representing energy, water and wastewater, food and beverage processing, chemicals, petroleum refining and other vital industry sectors. The standards, designated the ISA 62443 series, are being adopted as they are completed by the Geneva-based International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as the IEC 62443 series, assuring recognition by industries and governments across the globe.
The Pell Center report, Professionalizing Cybersecurity: A Path for Universal Standards and Status, makes the important point that the technology for combating cyber attacks is only as good as the people who develop, implement and maintain it. However, for those responsible for protecting the critical infrastructure and industrial base, the required expertise extends well beyond the tools and technology of cybersecurity, Dr. Koon points out: “They require an understanding of the engineering interactions of complex automation and control systems—in which cyber vulnerabilities exploited in sectors such as energy production and distribution, water treatment, refining and chemicals can disrupt and damage multiple sectors, with potentially severe consequences for public health and welfare, and on a vast and interconnected economy.“
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| Patrick Gouhin |
“ISA’s leadership in industrial cybersecurity extends well beyond the standards by leveraging the vast expertise and knowledge from the ISA/IEC 62443 program,” Gouhin adds. “This has led to programs for the training, certification, and continuing education of those who must understand the complexities and interactions of advanced automation and control systems while protecting critical infrastructure and the industrial base.”
These programs include:
Professional certification and certificate programs
Competency-based workforce development
Training classes, publications and conferences on:
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