Eccouncil ICS-SCADA ICS/SCADA Cyber Security Exam Practice Test

Answer : C

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and SCADA networks typically operate in environments where the available bandwidth is limited. They are often characterized by:

Low processing threshold: ICS/SCADA devices generally have limited processing capabilities due to their specialized and often legacy nature.

Legacy systems: Many ICS/SCADA systems include older technology that might not support newer security protocols or high-speed data transfer.

Weak network stack: These systems may have incomplete or less robust network stacks that can be susceptible to specific types of network attacks.

High bandwidth networks are not typical of ICS/SCADA environments, as these systems do not usually require or support high-speed data transmission due to their operational requirements and the older technology often used in such environments.

Reference

'Navigating the Challenges of Industrial Control Systems,' by ISA-99 Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security.

'Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems,' by the Department of Homeland Security.

Answer : D

The protocol number 6 represents TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) in the Internet Protocol suite. TCP is a core protocol of the Internet Protocol suite and operates at the transport layer, providing reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of bytes between applications running on hosts communicating via an IP network. Reference:

RFC 793, 'Transmission Control Protocol,' which specifies the detailed operation of TCP.

Answer : A

Within IPsec, the SPI (Security Parameter Index) is a critical component that uniquely identifies a Security Association (SA) for the IPsec session. The SPI is used in the IPsec headers to help the receiving party determine which SA has been agreed upon for processing the incoming packets. This identification is crucial for the proper operation and management of security policies applied to the encrypted data flows. Reference:

RFC 4301, 'Security Architecture for the Internet Protocol,' which discusses the structure and use of the SPI in IPsec communications.

Answer : C

The third generation of ICS/SCADA systems is considered distributed. This generation features systems that are networked and interconnected, typically using a variety of standard communication protocols. This distribution allows for broader connectivity and integration with other systems, enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency but also introducing more vectors for potential cyber threats. Reference:

Joseph Weiss, 'Protecting Industrial Control Systems from Electronic Threats'.

The third generation of ICS/SCADA systems is considered distributed. These systems emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s and were designed to overcome the limitations of earlier generations by leveraging networked architectures.

Distributed Architecture: Third-generation systems distributed control functions across multiple interconnected devices and systems, providing greater scalability and flexibility.

Network Integration: These systems integrated more extensively with IT networks, allowing for remote monitoring and control.

Standard Protocols: Adoption of standard communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, TCP/IP) facilitated interoperability and integration with other systems.

Enhanced Redundancy: Improved fault tolerance and redundancy were implemented to ensure system reliability.

Due to these features, the third generation is known as the distributed generation.

Reference

'SCADA Systems,' SCADAHacker, SCADA Generations.

Answer : C

IEC 62443 defines multiple security levels (SLs) tailored to address different types of threats and attackers in industrial control systems.

Security Level 4 (SL4) is designed to protect against sophisticated attacks by adversaries such as hacktivists or terrorists. SL4 involves threats that are targeted with specific intent against the organization, using advanced skills and means.

This level assumes that the adversary is capable of sustained and focused efforts with significant resources, including state-level actors or well-funded groups, aiming at causing widespread disruption or damage.

Reference

IEC 62443-3-3: System security requirements and security levels.

'Industrial Network Security: Securing Critical Infrastructure Networks for Smart Grid, SCADA, and Other Industrial Control Systems,' by Eric Knapp.

Answer : C

Modification attacks directly impact the integrity of data within the IT Security Model. Integrity ensures that information is accurate and unchanged from its original form unless altered by authorized means. An attack that involves modification manipulates data in unauthorized ways, thereby compromising its accuracy and reliability. Reference:

Shon Harris, 'CISSP Certification: All-in-One Exam Guide'.

Answer : D

A masquerade attack involves an attacker pretending to be an authorized user of a system, thus compromising the authentication component of the IT security model. Authentication ensures that the individuals accessing the system are who they claim to be. By masquerading as a legitimate user, an attacker can bypass this security measure and gain unauthorized access to the system. Reference:

William Stallings, 'Security in Computing'.