Implementation of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System to Assess the Cyber Vulnerability in Construction Projects

Abstract

The utilization of new technologies coupled with the digitization and automation of the construction industry (known as Construction 4.0) comes with many advantages. For example, it will make the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry more connected, accessible, and transparent. However, the inherent nature of these connected systems will make construction networks more vulnerable and prone to cyberattacks. That will compromise not only the confidentiality of sensitive information but also the security of physical assets and project participants. With this background in mind, it is crucial to measure the security of construction networks. There are different systems to evaluate security vulnerabilities of a system, network, organization, or process; one of the most common is the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), which provides a numerical score that reflects the severity of a given vulnerability based on specific identified metrics. This paper examines the application of CVSS to quantify and evaluate the vulnerability of project participants that can be used as the groundwork to determine the security vulnerability of construction networks. The objectives of this paper are 1) to examine the advantages and disadvantages of different scoring systems and their applicability to the AEC industry, 2) to systematically apply the identified system to determine scores for some of the most significant construction participants such as the owner, contractor, and worker. The proposed approach will help to assess the vulnerability of project participants and, eventually, the security level of construction networks.

Operational Technology on Construction Sites: A Review from the Cybersecurity Perspective

“…Turk and Klinc (2017), Nawari and Ravindran (2019b), and Safa et al (2019) identified the potential use of blockchain technology in construction management, and Shemov et al (2020) proposed a blockchain platform to enhance some of the challenges faced in the construction supply chain. There have been few research efforts covering the cybersecurity aspects of physical operations on construction sites, such as Mantha et al (2020b) and Mantha and García de Soto (2020) proposing the implementation of the common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) to construction networks and García de suggesting further research considering cyber threats against increasingly digitized and automated construction site activities.…”

Cybersecurity in Construction: Where Do We Stand and How Do We Get Better Prepared

“…To that end, they laid out threat models for each of the life cycle phases of a construction project and presented a case study for the commissioning phase. Mantha et al (2020) tried to quantify the cyber vulnerability in construction projects by implementing the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). The goal was to assess project participants' vulnerability, hence improving the security level of construction networks.…”