SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems are central control systems that coordinate critical infrastructure elements like power plants and water systems. They connect to programmable logic controllers and remote terminal units to monitor sensors and control actuators. As infrastructure systems became more distributed, SCADA evolved from isolated first-generation systems to networked third-generation systems connected to external networks, improving monitoring but also exposing vulnerabilities. SCADA performs key functions like acquiring data, controlling units, communicating with devices over networks, and presenting system data for operation.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems are central control systems that coordinate critical infrastructure elements like power plants and water systems. They connect to programmable logic controllers and remote terminal units to monitor sensors and control actuators. As infrastructure systems became more distributed, SCADA evolved from isolated first-generation systems to networked third-generation systems connected to external networks, improving monitoring but also exposing vulnerabilities. SCADA performs key functions like acquiring data, controlling units, communicating with devices over networks, and presenting system data for operation.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems are central control systems that coordinate critical infrastructure elements like power plants and water systems. They connect to programmable logic controllers and remote terminal units to monitor sensors and control actuators. As infrastructure systems became more distributed, SCADA evolved from isolated first-generation systems to networked third-generation systems connected to external networks, improving monitoring but also exposing vulnerabilities. SCADA performs key functions like acquiring data, controlling units, communicating with devices over networks, and presenting system data for operation.
Recap • As I discussed in previous video, individual elements of an infrastructure are controlled by PLCs which drive the actuators associated with these elements. • May also include Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) to collect information from sensors • These are connected to SCADA system, which is the central control system for the PLC and RTU network
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SCADA • SCADA – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition • SCADA is the name for a class of industrial control systems
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Why is SCADA important • SCADA systems are the control systems of our critical infrastructure that are responsible for coordinating the control and management of critical infrastructure elements • They are essential for its correct and safe operation Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 4 Why is SCADA important? • Failures or damage to a central SCADA control system can disable critical infrastructure across a wide geographic area – Incorrect control signals can cause equipment to malfunction – Lack of control signals may mean that equipment automatically shuts down for safety reasons Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 5 What is SCADA? • An architectural pattern for industrial control systems with many components that are often distributed over a wide area – Programmable logic units control infrastructure components – Data acquisition by remote terminal or remote telemetry units (RTUs) – Data sent to control centre, running the SCADA system – Control Centre monitors the system, displays system status and issues commands • Originally based on standard industrial communication protocols NOT Internet protocols Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 6 SCADA application areas • SCADA control systems are available from various manufacturers for different types of equipment – Electric power generation, transmission and distribution – Water and sewage – Buildings, facilities and environments – Manufacturing – Mass transit – Traffic signals
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Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 8 Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 9 Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 10 Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 11 SCADA generations • 1st generation (1970s). Co-located control – Controlled units were on the same site as the controlling computer with hard-wired connections between them – No network so no potential for external attack. Very limited chance of insider attack because operation by teams rather than Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 12 SCADA generations • 2nd generation (1980s/90s) Distributed control – SCADA systems networked with devices using special-purpose protocols – No external network connection – Vulnerable to insider attacks because of distributed sites Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 13 SCADA generations • 3rd generation (2000s). Networked systems – SCADA systems no longer isolated but connected to external networks – External connection through computers (particularly PCs) that are directly connected to the Internet – May also interface with other Internet-connected systems such as manufacturing control systems – More use of standard protocols such as TCP/IP for communications – Remote system monitoring and upgrades from providers requires network connection Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 14 SCADA functionality • A SCADA system performs four key functions: – Data acquisition from PLCs and RTUs – Unit control – Networked data communications with PLCs and other systems – Data presentation for system operation Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 15 Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 16 Image credit: http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/scada-as-heart-of-distribution-management-system
A SCADA system controlling an electricitydistribution network
Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 17 Summary • SCADA systems are the control systems for our critical infrastructure • Maintaining their reliability and security is essential for infrastructure dependability and resilience • I’ll talk about SCADA security in the next video Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 18