Researching the protection of critical industrial systems from cyber threats targeting operational technology environments.
Industrial Control Systems Security focuses on securing the hardware, software, and communication protocols that control physical processes in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation. Unlike traditional IT environments, ICS systems prioritize availability and real-time performance, often relying on legacy technologies not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind. Research in this area examines vulnerabilities in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and human-machine interfaces (HMIs), as well as the threats posed by targeted attacks like Stuxnet. Key topics include intrusion detection for ICS networks, segmentation strategies, protocol analysis, and resilience against nation-state or insider threats. This field is essential to safeguarding the infrastructure that underpins modern society.
Contact cyber@uq.edu.au for more information.
