Introducing SCADA

Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 1

 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

Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 3

 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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 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
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 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