IEC 61508 Cybersecurity in Functional Safety Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing the integration of cybersecurity measures in functional safety systems, aligning with IEC 61508 principles and addressing the unique challenges of cyber-physical security in the energy and utilities sector.

IEC 61508 Cybersecurity in Functional Safety Audit Checklist
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About This Checklist

The IEC 61508 Cybersecurity in Functional Safety Audit Checklist is an essential tool for assessing the integration of cybersecurity measures within functional safety systems in the energy and utilities sector. This comprehensive checklist addresses the growing concern of cyber threats to safety-critical systems, aligning with IEC 61508 principles while incorporating cybersecurity best practices. By systematically evaluating threat modeling, security controls, incident response, and the impact of security measures on safety functions, this checklist helps organizations ensure that their safety systems are not only functionally safe but also resilient against cyber attacks. Implementing this checklist enhances the overall integrity of safety-critical systems and demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the convergence of safety and security in the digital age.

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Industry

Energy and Utilities

Standard

IEC 61508 - Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic Systems

Workspaces

industrial network environments
Engineering Offices
IT Infrastructure
Control Rooms

Occupations

Functional Safety Engineer
Cybersecurity Specialist
Control Systems Engineer
IT Security Manager
Risk Analyst

1
Have all potential cybersecurity threats been identified and assessed?

Select an appropriate response.

Identifying threats is essential for effective risk management.
2
Are security controls implemented as per the IEC 61508 standard?

Indicate whether security controls are implemented.

Ensures compliance with industry standards for safety.
3
What is the average response time for cybersecurity incidents?

Enter the average response time in minutes.

Measuring response time helps evaluate the effectiveness of the incident response plan.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 120
4
What is the assigned Safety Integrity Level (SIL) for the system?

Select the appropriate SIL level.

The SIL impacts the level of risk reduction required.
5
Is there documented threat modeling for the system?

Provide details of the threat modeling documentation.

Documentation is critical for understanding and mitigating threats.
6
When was the incident response plan last reviewed?

Provide the date and any notes related to the review.

Regular reviews ensure the plan remains effective and up-to-date.

7
How effective are the current cybersecurity controls?

Select the effectiveness level.

Evaluating effectiveness helps identify areas for improvement.
8
Are regular security audits conducted?

Indicate if regular audits are being performed.

Regular audits are essential for maintaining security compliance.
9
How frequently are user access reviews conducted?

Enter the frequency of user access reviews in months.

Regular reviews help ensure that access permissions are appropriate.
Min: 1
Target: 12
Max: 12
10
What training is provided to staff regarding cybersecurity?

Provide details of the cybersecurity training programs.

Staff training is crucial for reducing human-related security risks.
11
When was the last cybersecurity incident reported?

Enter the date of the last reported incident.

Tracking incidents helps in understanding trends and improving responses.
12
What improvements have been made to the incident response plan?

Provide details of any improvements made.

Continuous improvement is vital for enhancing incident response capabilities.

13
Is the current risk assessment complete and up-to-date?

Select the status of the risk assessment.

A complete risk assessment is vital for identifying potential vulnerabilities.
14
How many critical vulnerabilities have been identified?

Enter the number of critical vulnerabilities identified.

Tracking critical vulnerabilities is essential for prioritizing remediation efforts.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 100
15
Is there a process in place for managing third-party cybersecurity risks?

Indicate whether third-party risk management processes are established.

Managing third-party risks is crucial to protect the organization from external threats.
16
Describe any recent security incidents and their impact.

Provide details regarding recent incidents.

Understanding past incidents can inform future risk management strategies.
17
When is the next risk assessment scheduled?

Enter the scheduled date for the next risk assessment.

Scheduling regular assessments helps maintain ongoing risk management.
18
What mitigation strategies are in place for identified risks?

Provide details of the mitigation strategies implemented.

Effective mitigation strategies are needed to address identified risks.

19
Is the organization compliant with relevant cybersecurity regulations?

Select the compliance status.

Compliance with regulations is essential for legal and operational integrity.
20
Has the cybersecurity policy been reviewed in the last year?

Indicate whether the cybersecurity policy has been reviewed.

Regular reviews ensure that policies remain relevant and effective.
21
How many findings were identified during the last security audit?

Enter the number of findings from the last audit.

Tracking audit findings helps in assessing the security posture and areas needing improvement.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 50
22
Describe the organization's cybersecurity governance structure.

Provide a detailed description of the governance structure.

Understanding the governance structure is critical for effective management and oversight.
23
When was the last compliance audit conducted?

Enter the date of the last compliance audit.

Tracking audit dates helps ensure compliance efforts are timely and effective.
24
What is the status of the remediation plan for identified issues?

Provide the current status of the remediation plan.

Monitoring the remediation plan is essential for addressing vulnerabilities effectively.

25
Is there a defined incident reporting process in place?

Select the status of the incident reporting process.

A clear reporting process is crucial for timely incident response.
26
Has the incident response team received training in the last year?

Indicate whether the incident response team has been trained.

Ongoing training ensures the incident response team is prepared for threats.
27
What is the average time taken to resolve incidents?

Enter the average resolution time in hours.

Measuring resolution time helps evaluate the effectiveness of the incident management process.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 48
28
Provide details of the last post-incident review conducted.

Include insights and action items from the last review.

Post-incident reviews are essential for learning and improving response strategies.
29
When was the last incident simulation exercise conducted?

Enter the date of the last simulation exercise.

Regular simulations help test and improve incident response capabilities.
30
What lessons have been learned from recent incidents?

Provide a summary of lessons learned from recent incidents.

Identifying lessons learned helps strengthen future incident response.

FAQs

It evaluates how cybersecurity measures are integrated into the functional safety lifecycle, ensuring that security controls do not compromise safety functions and that safety systems are protected against cyber threats.

The checklist covers threat modeling for safety systems, security risk assessment, implementation of security controls, secure communication protocols, access control measures, incident detection and response, and the impact of security updates on safety integrity.

This checklist should involve a multidisciplinary team including functional safety engineers, cybersecurity specialists, control system engineers, IT professionals, and risk managers working in the energy and utilities sector.

It ensures that cybersecurity measures are considered throughout the safety lifecycle, helping to prevent cyber-induced safety failures and maintaining the integrity of safety functions in increasingly connected industrial environments.

Audits should be conducted at least annually, with additional assessments performed after significant system changes, newly identified cyber threats, or security incidents that could impact safety systems.

Benefits

Ensures integration of cybersecurity considerations in functional safety systems

Reduces vulnerabilities in safety-critical control systems to cyber threats

Improves overall system resilience against both safety hazards and security risks

Facilitates compliance with evolving cybersecurity standards in safety-critical environments

Supports a holistic approach to risk management in digitalized industrial systems