Which of the following would likely not be considered an asset in an IACS context?

In an Industrial Automation and Control System (IACS) context, an asset typically refers to any item that has value and contributes to the functionality or security of the system. When assessing cybersecurity risk in IACS, it’s important to identify and prioritize these assets, as they directly impact operations.

Production data, communication protocols, and control hardware are all integral components of an IACS. Production data is crucial for monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes; communication protocols facilitate the reliable exchange of information between devices; and control hardware, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), is fundamental to executing control functions and ensuring that processes operate as intended. All of these elements are often categorized as assets due to their significant role in maintaining operational efficacy and security.

On the other hand, while an unreliable power supply can impact the functioning of an IACS, it is generally considered more of a risk or a vulnerability rather than an asset. An unreliable power supply does not directly contribute value or functionality to the IACS itself; instead, it represents a factor that could lead to potential failures or operational issues. Therefore, in the context of identifying assets, an unreliable power supply would not fit the definition and hence is likely considered the correct answer in this scenario.