What type of segmentation is commonly used in ICS and SCADA networks, involving separate physical hardware?

Physical segmentation is a critical security practice in Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks. This type of segmentation involves the use of separate physical hardware to isolate different parts of the network, ensuring that critical systems are protected from potential threats that could exploit vulnerabilities in other segments.

In the context of ICS and SCADA systems, where operational technology (OT) is used to monitor and control physical processes, physical segmentation helps maintain a stronger security posture by reducing the attack surface. It allows for strict boundaries between networks and devices, which can prevent unauthorized access and minimize the risk of malicious activities spreading from one segment to another.

This method is particularly effective because it utilizes distinct hardware, such as firewalls and network switches, to enforce these boundaries, making it inherently more secure compared to logical segmentation mechanisms, which might not provide the same level of isolation. In high-stakes environments like those controlled by SCADA systems, where downtime can lead to significant safety or financial risks, physical segmentation becomes a best practice.

The other options, while important in network design, do not provide the same level of isolation or security as physical segmentation. Transmission control management focuses on the protocols for data transmission rather than isolating networks. Access control lists