Phase 5: Cybersecurity Design Documentation - Training Guide

Mission Briefing

Greetings, Cyber Surveyor. Your previous missions have established governance, identified risks, cataloged assets, and designed the network security architecture. Now, your task at Tachyon Heavy Industries' Mars Shipyard advances to creating comprehensive documentation of the cybersecurity design. This phase is essential—it transforms abstract security concepts into concrete implementation plans and provides the blueprint that engineers will follow during construction.

In the complex environment of spacecraft construction, where multiple teams work simultaneously on interconnected systems, clear and detailed documentation is the difference between consistent security implementation and dangerous gaps in protection. The Cybersecurity Design Description (CSDD) you create now will guide THI engineers throughout the construction process and serve as evidence of compliance during ABS certification.

E26 Regulatory Context

IACS UR E26 explicitly requires comprehensive cybersecurity design documentation. Section 5.1 (Demonstration of compliance during design and construction phases) mandates:

The CSDD is one of the primary documents reviewed during ABS certification and must be maintained throughout the vessel lifecycle.

Your Mission Objectives

As an ABSC Cyber Integrator, you must:

  1. Develop a comprehensive Cybersecurity Design Description (CSDD)
  2. Document security zones and conduits in detail
  3. Specify security controls for all systems based on SL-T assignments
  4. Create security implementation specifications for engineers
  5. Develop security testing procedures and acceptance criteria
  6. Ensure all documentation meets ABS certification requirements

The Challenges You Face

Creating effective cybersecurity documentation for THI's complex mining vessels presents several challenges:

Quest Path: Cybersecurity Design Documentation

Step 1: CSDD Framework Development

Your first task is to establish the structure and framework for the Cybersecurity Design Description document.

Procedural Guide:

  1. Review E26 requirements for CSDD content
  2. Develop a document structure that includes:
    • Executive summary for leadership
    • Detailed technical specifications for engineers
    • Implementation guidance for construction teams
    • Testing procedures for quality assurance
    • Compliance mapping for certification
  3. Create templates for each section
  4. Establish document control procedures
  5. Define review and approval workflows

Interactive Challenge: THI's documentation system uses a different structure than the ABS recommended CSDD template. How do you reconcile these differences while ensuring all required information is included?

Options:

Optimal Approach: Create a hybrid approach that incorporates the essential elements of the ABS template within THI's documentation structure, with a clear mapping document that demonstrates how all E26 requirements are addressed.

Deliverable: CSDD Framework and Templates

Step 2: Security Zone and Conduit Documentation

Document the security zones and conduits designed in the Network Security Architecture phase.

Procedural Guide:

  1. Create detailed diagrams of security zones for each vessel class
  2. Document zone characteristics:
    • Contained systems and components
    • Security level requirements
    • Physical and logical boundaries
    • Access control requirements
  3. Document conduit specifications:
    • Connected zones
    • Permitted traffic types
    • Security control mechanisms
    • Monitoring requirements
  4. Create data flow diagrams showing authorized communications
  5. Document zone and conduit implementation requirements

Interactive Challenge: The Comet Chaser-Class vessel has unique zone requirements due to its rapid deployment capabilities. How do you document these special considerations while maintaining consistency with other vessel classes?

Deliverable: Security Zone and Conduit Documentation

Step 3: Security Control Specification

Document detailed specifications for security controls to be implemented for each system.

Procedural Guide:

  1. For each system, document required security controls based on:
    • Assigned security level target (SL-T)
    • Risk assessment findings
    • Regulatory requirements
    • Operational constraints
  2. Specify technical implementation details for controls:
    • Authentication requirements
    • Access control mechanisms
    • Encryption standards
    • Network filtering rules
    • System hardening requirements
  3. Document compensating controls for systems with limitations
  4. Create control implementation matrices for different system types
  5. Establish verification methods for each control

Interactive Challenge: The supplier of the Gravitational Anchor System claims their product cannot support the encryption requirements specified in your security controls. How do you document appropriate compensating controls?

Deliverable: Security Control Specification Document

Step 4: Implementation Guidance Development

Create practical guidance for engineers implementing the security design.

Procedural Guide:

  1. Develop implementation procedures for different security controls
  2. Create configuration guides for security technologies
  3. Document integration requirements between security systems
  4. Establish implementation priorities and dependencies
  5. Create troubleshooting guides for common implementation issues

Interactive Challenge: THI engineers report that implementing the specified network segmentation on the Nebula Skimmer-Class vessel will require significant redesign of existing systems. How do you adapt your implementation guidance to address this challenge?

Deliverable: Security Implementation Guide

Step 5: Testing Procedure Development

Create comprehensive procedures for testing the implemented security controls.

Procedural Guide:

  1. Define test objectives for different security aspects
  2. Develop test methodologies for:
    • Network segmentation verification
    • Access control testing
    • Encryption validation
    • Security monitoring effectiveness
    • Incident response capabilities
  3. Create test scripts for automated testing where possible
  4. Establish acceptance criteria for each test
  5. Document remediation procedures for failed tests

Interactive Challenge: ABS requires penetration testing of critical systems, but THI is concerned about potential damage to prototype systems. How do you design testing procedures that satisfy ABS requirements while addressing THI's concerns?

Deliverable: Security Testing Procedures

Step 6: Compliance Mapping

Create documentation that maps the security design to E26 requirements for certification purposes.

Procedural Guide:

  1. Create a comprehensive matrix mapping E26 requirements to:
    • Design elements
    • Implementation specifications
    • Testing procedures
    • Supporting documentation
  2. Identify evidence required for each requirement
  3. Document compliance justifications for each requirement
  4. Identify any areas of non-compliance and associated compensating controls
  5. Create a compliance verification checklist for ABS surveyors

Interactive Challenge: During preliminary review, an ABS surveyor questions whether your security design adequately addresses E26 requirements for "recovery capabilities" following a cyber incident. How do you enhance your compliance documentation to address this concern?

Deliverable: E26 Compliance Mapping Document

Mission Completion Criteria

Your mission will be considered complete when:

  1. All deliverables have been created and approved by key stakeholders
  2. The CSDD has been reviewed by THI engineering teams
  3. Implementation teams confirm the documentation provides sufficient guidance
  4. ABS has conducted a preliminary review and provided feedback
  5. All feedback has been incorporated into the final documentation

Rewards and Advancement

Successful completion of this mission will:

Knowledge Resources

Remember, Surveyor: in the complex world of spacecraft construction, documentation is not merely paperwork—it's the bridge between security design and implementation. Clear, comprehensive documentation now will ensure that security intentions become security realities when vessels face the threats of deep space.

Good luck on your mission. The safety of future crews depends on your clarity and thoroughness.

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