Exploring the Nuclear Power DCS Network Security Management Method and Its Application

Abstract

Given the grave local and international network security landscape, a national strategic level analysis indicates that the modernization and advancement within the Industry 4.0 era are closely correlated with overall competitive strength. Consequently, China proposed a strategy for the integration of industrialization and informatization, optimizing and adjusting its industrial structure to swiftly achieve transformation and upgrading in the Industry 4.0 era, thereby enhancing the sophistication of intelligent industrial control systems. The distributed control system in a nuclear power plant functions as an industrial control system, overseeing the operational status of the physical process. Its ability to ensure safe and reliable operation is directly linked to nuclear safety and the cybersecurity of the facility. The management of network security in distributed control systems (DCS) is crucial for achieving this objective. Due to the varying network settings and parameters of the DCS implemented in each nuclear power plant, the network security status of the system sometimes diverges from expectations. During system operation, it will undoubtedly encounter network security issues. Consequently, nuclear power plants utilize the technical criteria outlined in GB/T 22239 to formulate a network security management program aimed at enhancing the operational security of DCS within these facilities. This study utilizes existing network security regulations and standards as a reference to analyze the network security control standards based on the nuclear power plant’s control system. It delineates the fundamental requirements for network security management, facilitating integration with the entire life cycle of the research, development, and application of the nuclear power plant’s distributed control system, thereby establishing a network security management methodology that satisfies the control requirements of the nuclear power plant. Initially, it presents DCS and network security management, outlines current domestic and international network security legislation and standards, and specifies the standards pertinent to the administration of DCS in nuclear power plants. Secondly, the design of network security management for DCS is executed in conjunction with the specific context of nuclear power plants. This encompasses the deployment of network security apparatus, validation of the network security management strategy, and optimization adjustments. Consequently, recommendations beneficial to the network security management of nuclear power plants are compiled, aimed at establishing a management system and incorporating the concept of full life cycle management, which is predicated on system requirements, system design, and both software and hardware considerations. Conversely, it presents the notion of comprehensive life cycle management and suggests network security management strategies encompassing system requirements, system architecture, detailed hardware and software design and implementation, procurement, internal system integration, system validation and acceptance testing, system installation, operational maintenance, system modifications, and decommissioning. We will consistently enhance the performance and functionality of DCS in nuclear power plants, establish a safe and secure operational environment, and thereby facilitate the implementation of DCS in nuclear facilities while ensuring robust network security in the future.