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What is SCADA?
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Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a term used to describe high-level systems supervising the operation of lower-level control and monitoring systems.
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A SCADA system controls remote conditions and equipment through gathering real time data.
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It can either be “centralized systems that control and monitor the entire sites, or they are the complex systems spread out over large areas.” (scadasystems.net)
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Contains both hardware and software components.
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The hardware components are used for transfers data gathered from remote locations to computers containing the software components
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The software components take the data and processes it. The process data is then logged and presented in a well-organized and understandable fashion.
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Systems are generally comprised of the following components:
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A device where users interface with the SCADA system and view data compiled by the supervisory system.
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A supervisory system that issues commands to networked devices and compiles data it receives from remote sensors.
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Remote Terminal Units (RTU) that gather data from connected sensors in the field and relay it to the supervisory system
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Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) are remote field devices that can be programmed to control parts of a process.
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The network infrastructure that connects RTUs and PLCs to the remote supervisory system.
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What is SCADA used for:
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Allows organizations to:
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Control industrial processes locally or at remote locations
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Monitor, gather, and process real-time data
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Directly interact with devices such as sensors, valves, pumps, motors, and more through human-machine interface (HMI) software
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Record events into a log file
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SCADA systems also raise alarms when hazardous conditions are recognized.
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If a piece of machinery malfunctions or a pipeline springs a leak, SCADA systems analyze the data and sends an alert stating what the issue is what where it is located.
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Through analyzing the data, it also ascertains how critical the situation is to help determine the appropriate measures to take to resolve the situation and prevent any further loss or damage.
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Examples of SCADA application:
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Typically used in:
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Waste control - PLC’s may be used to monitor water levels of pumps stations, or sewage collection/distribution.
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Power plants - PLC’s or RTUs may be used to monitor heat levels of generators, transistors, motors and valves to ensure that these CI’s are functioning. Levels of waste emissions and power levels may also be monitored.
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Telecommunications - PLCs or RTUs can be used to monitor the temperature of servers, ASA’s, routers, and switches.
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Gas and oil refining - SCADA systems may be used to monitor frac mining and processing, pipeline monitoring, gas distribution, compression and pump station controls, and liquefied natural gas handling.(reverecontrol.com)
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Transportation - May be used for monitoring automotive systems including engines, locks, transmissions, payloads and cargo, and passengers.
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Water system - Generally used to monitor reservoir levels, pump stations, and storage levels and conditions.
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Critical Infrastructure sectors:
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Determined by Department of Homeland Security in Presidential Policy Directive 21 in 2013.
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“There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.” (DHS)
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Chemical, Commercial Facilities, Communications, Critical Manufacturing, Dams, Defense Industrial Base, Emergency Services, Energy, Financial Services, Food and Agriculture, Government Facilities, Healthcare and Public Sector, Information Technology, Nuclear Reactors Materials and Waste, Transportation Systems, and Water and Wastewater Systems.
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Sources