Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has released a new report titled “Zero Trust Strategies for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Detection Systems: D.1 Cyber Scenarios,” prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy. The report examines how Zero Trust cybersecurity principles can be adapted to secure Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) detection systems used in the field.
The report builds on federal Zero Trust policy directives, including NIST Special Publication 800-207, Executive Order 14028, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Zero Trust Maturity Model (ZTMM). Through a set of detailed hypothetical scenarios, PNNL explores how Zero Trust concepts can be practically applied across a variety of CBRN device types and operational environments.
Securing Systems That Safeguard the Public
CBRN detection systems are used to monitor for dangerous substances in locations such as airports, border crossings, subways, and major public events. They serve as a frontline defense against high-consequence threats. Many of these systems operate in mobile, remote, or semi-autonomous configurations, sometimes with real-time data connections to centralized repositories. This diversity of use cases introduces a wide range of cyber risks.
A successful cyberattack on a CBRN system could result in data loss, false threat reporting, or delayed emergency response. Protecting these systems with Zero Trust strategies ensures that access, communication, and data handling are all continuously verified and tightly controlled. Strengthening these systems supports public safety, emergency preparedness, and national resilience.
Key Findings and Implications
Applying the Five Pillars of Zero Trust
The report uses the structure of the ZTMM to assess how its five pillars—Identity, Devices, Networks, Applications and Workloads, and Data—can be implemented in CBRN environments. Each pillar is addressed with device-relevant strategies. For example, Identity controls focus on user authentication and access based on roles, while Device controls emphasize secure configuration, endpoint hardening, and continuous monitoring. Network protections include segmentation and traffic encryption, and Applications are assessed for secure deployment, update practices, and access restrictions. The Data pillar focuses on encryption, access control, integrity checks, and availability through redundant storage.
The result is a high-level yet adaptable framework that helps integrate cybersecurity into both legacy and modern CBRN systems without assuming a one-size-fits-all model.
Legacy Systems Pose Unique Challenges
Many CBRN devices were not designed with modern cybersecurity controls in mind. The report highlights gaps in legacy systems, such as unsecured USB ports, lack of encrypted Bluetooth pairing, or minimal user authentication mechanisms. These limitations require compensating controls or modernization plans. Bridging the gap between device functionality and cyber resilience is a recurring challenge across CBRN deployments.
Realistic Scenarios Provide a Blueprint for Risk
Ten hypothetical cybersecurity scenarios are included in the report, each grounded in operationally plausible settings. These include handheld detectors used by law enforcement in public transit systems, bio-detection units installed in mailrooms or airports, and remote gas analyzers deployed at industrial sites. Each scenario is analyzed in terms of device configuration, communication methods, and potential vulnerabilities, followed by a mapping of applicable Zero Trust strategies.
By anchoring Zero Trust concepts in real-world operational narratives, the report offers a practical guide for planners, engineers, and security teams across agencies and industries.
Recommendations and Next Steps
PNNL outlines several recommendations for advancing Zero Trust implementation in CBRN contexts:
- Develop a standardized Zero Trust taxonomy specific to CBRN device categories
- Map ZT security controls to device types for consistent implementation
- Create a Zero Trust playbook for configuration, monitoring, and incident response
- Conduct testing of ZT controls through simulations and stress testing
- Build a centralized web tool for monitoring and analyzing CBRN system security
CBRN detection systems play a critical role in protecting national security and public safety. As these systems evolve to incorporate mobile, wireless, and cloud-based technologies, their exposure to cyber threats increases. This report from PNNL provides an actionable framework for applying Zero Trust principles to reduce those risks. For organizations managing high-stakes detection technologies, this approach supports not just compliance—but real-world resilience.
McKenzie, P.L., Watson, M.D., Ashley, T.D., et al. Zero Trust Strategies for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Detection Systems: D.1 Cyber Scenarios. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Jan 2025
Editor’s Note:
The future of research like this is under threat. The Trump-Vance Administration’s proposed actions would cut Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s funding by nearly one-third. These reductions jeopardize critical national security work, including research on Zero Trust cybersecurity, nuclear security, radiological threat detection, and biological defense technologies. Up to 1,000 expert staff positions could be lost, undermining the nation’s capacity to detect and respond to CBRNE threats. Such cuts could weaken both public safety and the strategic readiness of the United States.