Introducing scada

Introdocing Scada, 2013 Slide 1

Introducing SCADA


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


SCADA

• SCADA – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

• SCADA is the name for a class of industrial control systems


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


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


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


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


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 individuals


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


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


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


Image credit: http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/scada-as-heart-of-distribution-management-system

A SCADA system controlling an electricitydistribution network


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

Introducing scada

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Transcript of Introducing scada