Automating Safety and Security Risk Assessment in Industrial Control Systems: Challenges and Constraints

Currently, risk assessment of industrial control systems is static and performed manually. With the increased convergence of operational technology and information technology, risk assessment has to incorporate a combined safety and security analysis along with their interdependency. This paper investigates the data inputs required for safety and security assessments, also if the collection and utilisation of such data can be automated. A particular focus is put on integrated assessment methods which have the potential for automation. In case the overall process to identify potential hazards and threats and analyze what could happen if they occur can be automated, manual efforts and cost of operation can be reduced, thus also increasing the overall performance of risk assessment.