How to Implement SCADA Network Security in NS2

To implement Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Network Security in NS2 has needs to contain to mimic a usual SCADA system environment, classifying potential security threats, and executing protective mechanisms like firewalls, encryption, access control, and intrusion detection systems (IDS). SCADA networks usually control vital infrastructure, making them prime targets for cyber-attacks. So, to mimic their security is vital for evaluating the susceptibilities and assessing preventing techniques.

The given below is a procedure to implement the SCADA network security in ns2:

Steps to Implement SCADA Network Security in NS2

  1. Define the SCADA Network Topology:

A SCADA network consists of numerous components such as:

  • Master Terminal Units (MTUs): Central control systems.
  • Remote Terminal Units (RTUs): Devices that gather data from sensors or actuators and send it to the MTU.
  • Sensors and Actuators: Devices that collects data and implement control commands.
  • Human-Machine Interface (HMI): Interfaces for human operators to observe and control processes.

Use NS2 to replicate these components with nodes and links expressive the wired or wireless communication among them.

Example Tcl script for SCADA network topology:

set ns [new Simulator]

# Define SCADA components as nodes

set mtu [$ns node]      ;# Master Terminal Unit (central controller)

set rtu1 [$ns node]     ;# Remote Terminal Unit 1

set rtu2 [$ns node]     ;# Remote Terminal Unit 2

set sensor1 [$ns node]  ;# Sensor 1

set sensor2 [$ns node]  ;# Sensor 2

set hmi [$ns node]      ;# Human Machine Interface (HMI)

set attacker [$ns node] ;# External attacker node

# Create links between SCADA components

$ns duplex-link $rtu1 $mtu 10Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $rtu2 $mtu 10Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $sensor1 $rtu1 5Mb 5ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $sensor2 $rtu2 5Mb 5ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $hmi $mtu 10Mb 10ms DropTail

  1. Simulate Normal SCADA Traffic:
  • SCADA systems usually use protocols like Modbus, DNP3, or ICCP for interaction. These protocols are used for sending sensor data from RTUs to the MTU and sending control orders from the MTU to actuators.
  • We can replicate this interaction using TCP/UDP traffic in NS2.

Example of simulating TCP communication from RTU to MTU:

# Simulate TCP communication between RTU1 and MTU

set tcp [new Agent/TCP]

set sink [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $rtu1 $tcp

$ns attach-agent $mtu $sink

$ns connect $tcp $sink

# Generate application traffic (e.g., sensor data)

set app [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$app set packetSize_ 512

$app set rate_ 1Mb

$app attach-agent $tcp

$ns at 1.0 “$app start”

  1. Simulate SCADA-Specific Threats:

SCADA networks are usually targets the particular cyberattacks such as:

  • Denial of Service (DoS): Attackers overwhelm the network, mitigating legitimate interaction among RTUs and the MTU.
  • Unauthorized Access: Attackers tries to control RTUs or access sensitive sensor data.
  • Replay Attacks: Attackers capture and resend legitimate control messages to leads unwanted actions.
  • Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Attackers interrupt and probably change interaction among the MTU and RTUs.

Example of simulating a DoS attack from an attacker node:

# Simulate UDP flood attack from attacker node to MTU

set udp [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $attacker $udp

set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr set packetSize_ 1024

$cbr set rate_ 10Mb

$cbr attach-agent $udp

# Connect DoS traffic to MTU

$ns connect $udp $sink

$ns at 2.0 “$cbr start”

Example of simulating unauthorized access:

# Attacker trying to access MTU through TCP connection

set tcp_attacker [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $attacker $tcp_attacker

$ns connect $tcp_attacker $sink

$ns at 3.0 “$tcp_attacker start”

  1. Implement Security Controls:

To secure the SCADA network from cyber threats, execute the following security controls:

(a) Firewalls (Packet Filtering):

Firewalls can be utilized to block unauthorized traffic. We can mimic firewall functionality by using packet filtering to drop traffic from mischievous nodes.

Example of firewall configuration to block attacker traffic:

# Drop all traffic from attacker node to MTU

set filter [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $mtu $filter

$ns connect $attacker $filter

(b) Encryption of SCADA Traffic:

Securing communication among SCADA devices with encryption make sure that attackers cannot read or adapt sensitive control data. Since NS2 does not directly support encryption, we can mimic an encrypted traffic by design particular communication as “secure.”

Example of simulating encrypted communication:

# Simulate secure communication between RTU1 and MTU

set secure_tcp [new Agent/TCP]

$secure_tcp set secure_ true  ;# Simulating encryption

(c) Access Control:

Access control make sure that only authorized devices such as RTUs, MTUs can interact with each other, mitigating attackers or illegal users from gaining access.

Example of access control implementation:

# Allow only authorized RTUs to communicate with MTU

if {[node] != $rtu1 && [node] != $rtu2} {

set filter [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $mtu $filter

$ns connect $node $filter

}

(d) Intrusion Detection System (IDS):

Exceute IDS to identify suspicious traffic, like unusual traffic volumes (indicative of a DoS attack), unauthorized access attempts, or MitM attacks.

Example of simulating IDS to detect abnormal traffic:

# Monitor traffic at MTU and log traffic spikes (DoS detection)

set tracefile [open ids_log.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

# Detect abnormal traffic volumes (potential DoS attack)

if {[traffic_rate] > threshold} {

puts “Potential DoS attack detected!”

}

  1. Enable Monitoring and Logging:

Use NS2 trace files to capture and log network events, like packet transmission, reception, drops, and delays. These logs will support to evaluate the efficiency of security measures.

Example of enabling trace files:

set tracefile [open scada_security.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

  1. Monitor Security Metrics:

Monitor significant security metrics to measure the SCADA network’s performance and security:

  • Packet Loss Rate: A high rate of packet loss could designate successful attacks or network congestion.
  • Throughput: Minimized throughput might signal DoS attacks or performance degradation because of malicious activity.
  • Latency: Increased latency could designate network congestion or attacks.
  • Detection of Unauthorized Access: Assess on how quickly unauthorized access tries to detected and blocked.

Example of analysing packet loss from the trace file:

with open(“scada_security.tr”, “r”) as tracefile:

sent_packets = 0

dropped_packets = 0

for line in tracefile:

if “s” in line:  # Packet sent

sent_packets += 1

if “d” in line:  # Packet dropped

dropped_packets += 1

if sent_packets > 0:

packet_loss_rate = (dropped_packets / sent_packets) * 100

print(f”Packet Loss Rate: {packet_loss_rate}%”)

  1. Simulate Incident Response:

Check the SCADA network’s ability to respond to identified threats. For sample, we can block traffic from malicious nodes or rertransmit traffic around compromised nodes.

Example of blocking malicious traffic after detection:

# Block traffic from attacker node after DoS detection

set filter [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $mtu $filter

$ns connect $attacker $filter

  1. Visualize the Network Using NAM:

Use NAM (Network Animator) to envison SCADA network activities and security events. NAM delivers a graphical view of packet transmissions, drops, and network activity during both normal and attack settings.

Example of enabling NAM visualization:

$ns namtrace-all [open scada_security.nam w]

  1. Generate Reports and Analyze Security Posture:

After executing the simulation, evaluate the trace files to measure the efficiency of the executed security controls. Create a report that contain:

  • Security Incidents Detected: Document any identified unauthorized access, DoS attempts, or other attacks.
  • Effectiveness of Security Controls: evaluate how well firewalls, IDS, and encryption secured the network.
  • Performance Metrics: Measure throughput, delay, and packet loss during normal and attack scenarios.

Example Workflow for Implementing SCADA Network Security in NS2:

  1. Define SCADA Topology: Mimic the SCADA system with MTUs, RTUs, sensors, and HMIs.
  2. Simulate Normal Traffic: Introduce interaction among SCADA components using TCP/UDP.
  3. Simulate Threats: Establish attacks such as DoS attacks, unauthorized access, or replay attacks.
  4. Implement Security Controls: Use firewalls, encryption, access control, and IDS to secure the network.
  5. Monitor and Log Traffic: Use trace files to log network events and track security incidents.
  6. Analyze Security Metrics: Evaluate packet loss, throughput, delay, and detection of unauthorized access.
  7. Simulate Incident Response: Block malicious traffic or reroute communication in response to identify the threats.
  8. Visualize Network in NAM: Use NAM to monitor packet transmissions and security events.
  9. Generate Reports: Assess the network’s security performance and suggest the enhancements.

We had successfully deliver the complete guide to installing and implementing the SCADA network security within the ns2 simulation tool that haps to measure the malicious attacks and assess the mitigating approaches. We deliver the more information regarding the SCADA network security. So stay in touch with our technical team to receive best ideas and topics tailored to your needs.