The Canadian industrial cyber-security specialist Byres Security has released a product that demonstrates the vulnerability of Scada and PLC components to security failures, and can test new solutions. The Tofino Scada Security Simulator (TSSS), is “a complete control system in a box”, said to make the impact of security failures to critical industrial processes easy to grasp.

“Cyber threats to industrial processes have been difficult to demonstrate, making it hard to test designs, train staff or research mitigating technologies,” explains Eric Byres, chief technology officer and vice-president of engineering at Byres Security, which was acquired recently by Belden. “Now, with the TSSS, anyone can understand both the impact of security breaches on industrial processes and how to stop them.”

A typical TSSS demonstration starts by showing how Scada and industrial control systems operate, using a PLC to control production. Next, Scada-specific malware attacks the control system and destroys the process. Finally, the system is secured using a technology such as Byres’ Tofino Industrial Security Solution.