A new approach for more secure industrial networking

An electric utility user argues for more secure authentication for SCADA networks. Video: Chris Sistrunk asks for broader adoption of DNP3 version 5.

By Peter Welander March 29, 2013

With the growing cyber threat landscape related to industrial networks, users and vendors alike are looking for new tools and methods for protecting critical assets. The electric utility industry has been under particular pressure to implement defenses, and in many respects is leading the effort.

At the SANS ICS and SCADA Summit in Orlando last February, Matt Luallen was able to discuss how some utility customers are implementing DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol), particularly version 5 with its secure authentication features. In the video, Chris Sistrunk, PE, senior engineer of T&D technical services for Entergy, explains his interest in this new capability, and why he hopes more vendors will incorporate it into their products.

www.dnp.org

www.entergy.com

www.sans.org

Peter Welander, pwelander@cfemedia.com