BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020: Power Systems Management and Associated Information Exchange

Data and Communications Security: Role-based Access Control for Power System Management

In the rapidly evolving world of power systems management, ensuring the security and integrity of data and communications is paramount. The BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020 standard is a comprehensive guide designed to enhance the security of power systems through role-based access control. Released on July 2, 2020, this standard is an essential resource for professionals in the field of power systems management, providing a robust framework for securing data and communications.

Key Features of BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020

• Standard Number: BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020
• Pages: 80
• Release Date: 2020-07-02
• ISBN: 978 0 580 52048 8
• Status: Standard

Comprehensive Security Framework

This standard provides a detailed framework for implementing role-based access control (RBAC) in power system management. RBAC is a critical component in ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data and systems, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

Why Role-Based Access Control?

Role-based access control is a method of regulating access to computer or network resources based on the roles of individual users within an organization. In the context of power systems management, RBAC helps in:

• Enhancing security by limiting access to sensitive data and systems to only those who need it.
• Improving compliance with regulatory requirements by ensuring that access controls are consistently applied.
• Reducing the risk of insider threats by clearly defining and enforcing access policies.

Benefits of Implementing BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020

Implementing the guidelines and practices outlined in this standard can offer numerous benefits, including:

• Increased Security: By implementing robust access controls, organizations can significantly enhance the security of their power systems.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined access management processes can lead to improved operational efficiency and reduced administrative overhead.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to this standard can help organizations meet various regulatory requirements related to data and communications security.
• Risk Mitigation: By reducing the risk of unauthorized access, organizations can protect themselves against potential data breaches and other security incidents.

Who Should Use This Standard?

The BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020 standard is designed for a wide range of professionals involved in power systems management, including:

• IT and cybersecurity professionals responsible for securing power systems and associated data.
• Power system engineers and managers who need to understand and implement access control measures.
• Compliance officers tasked with ensuring adherence to security standards and regulations.
• Consultants and advisors providing guidance on power systems security and management.

Conclusion

The BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020 standard is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in the management and security of power systems. By providing a clear and comprehensive framework for role-based access control, this standard helps organizations protect their critical infrastructure and ensure the integrity of their data and communications. Whether you are an IT professional, a power system engineer, or a compliance officer, this standard is an essential tool in your security arsenal.

For those looking to enhance their understanding and implementation of security measures in power systems management, the BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020 standard is a must-have resource. With its detailed guidelines and best practices, it offers a pathway to achieving robust security and compliance in today's complex and interconnected power systems environment.

BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020

This standard BS EN IEC 62351-8:2020 Power systems management and associated information exchange. Data and communications security is classified in these ICS categories:

• 33.200 Telecontrol. Telemetering

IEC 62351-8: 2020 is to facilitate role-based access control (RBAC) for power system management. RBAC assigns human users, automated systems, and software applications (collectively called "subjects" in this document) to specified "roles", and restricts their access to only those resources, which the security policies identify as necessary for their roles. As electric power systems become more automated and cyber security concerns become more prominent, it is becoming increasingly critical to ensure that access to data (read, write, control, etc.) is restricted. As in many aspects of security, RBAC is not just a technology; it is a way of running a business. RBAC is not a new concept; in fact, it is used by many operating systems to control access to system resources. Specifically, RBAC provides an alternative to the all-or-nothing super-user model in which all subjects have access to all data, including control commands. RBAC is a primary method to meet the security principle of least privilege, which states that no subject should be authorized more permissions than necessary for performing that subject’s task. With RBAC, authorization is separated from authentication. RBAC enables an organization to subdivide super-user capabilities and package them into special user accounts termed roles for assignment to specific individuals according to their associated duties. This subdivision enables security policies to determine who or what systems are permitted access to which data in other systems. RBAC provides thus a means of reallocating system controls as defined by the organization policy. In particular, RBAC can protect sensitive system operations from inadvertent (or deliberate) actions by unauthorized users. Clearly RBAC is not confined to human users though; it applies equally well to automated systems and software applications, i.e., software parts operating independent of user interactions. The following interactions are in scope: – local (direct wired) access to the object by a human user; by a local and automated computer agent, or built-in HMI or panel; – remote (via dial-up or wireless media) access to the object by a human user; – remote (via dial-up or wireless media) access to the object by a remote automated computer agent, e.g. another object at another substation, a distributed energy resource at an end-user’s facility, or a control centre application. While this document defines a set of mandatory roles to be supported, the exchange format for defined specific or custom roles is also in scope of this document. Out of scope for this document are all topics which are not directly related to the definition of roles and access tokens for local and remote access, especially administrative or organizational tasks.