Introduction

The SCADA system is an innovation created to control, monitor, and process real-life data in infrastructure. Developers invented SCADA to give workers the ability to save time by notifying an operator if there is a malfunction in the system. It is important for society to acknowledge the components of SCADA because this system is integrated into a lot of machinery that involves electricity, transportation, oil, gas, and more. The implementation of this device in frequently used machinery causes concern for scholars because a change in a machinery network could negatively affect people. To understand the importance of SCADA in modern times, we have to evaluate the vulnerabilities of this system in infrastructure, the role applications play in migrating these risks, and background information about the system.

Vulnerabilities of Critical Infrastructure Systems

Cybersecurity professionals are always concerned about the vulnerabilities associated with any infrastructure because of the problems that could occur if an unauthorized user hacks into the system. SCADA systems are associated with innovations that are implemented in society, such as traffic lights, electricity transmission, and more. Therefore, professionals must carefully consider all vulnerabilities because an alteration in infrastructure could drastically affect individuals’ lives. According to the article, unauthorized users being able to access the software could disrupt the operation of infrastructure because there are many harmful results that society could experience if machinery starts to malfunction. Machinery, including traffic lights, electricity, energy, and more, is vulnerable if SCADA systems are hacked.

SCADA System Roles in Migrating Risks

The applications associated with the SCADA can cause a migration of risks because the system is connected to infrastructure around the world. Due to SCADA system integration into other apparatus, a change within the SCADA system could compromise towns, cities, countries, and states. Therefore, developers encourage more security advancements to be implemented into the SCADA since there has been an increase in cyber threats against this system. Innovators have to be careful of the system. Further research on the SCADA will be regulated to guarantee safety among mechanisms like oil transmission, electricity, traffic lights, and more.

Additional information about SCADA

The information that I’ve learned about the SCADA system is interesting. I learned that the SCADA system was made to remove the factor of individuals having to manually monitor and control infrastructure (Inductive Automation, n.d.). The SCADA provided industry professionals with the opportunity to control machinery from long distances. From the article that I’ve researched, I’ve also learned about the evolution of SCADA. The system was originally associated with mainframe computers in the 1970s and later progressed to the innovation it is today (Inductive Automation, n.d.).

Conclusion

The SCADA system was invented to allow production workers to remotely access the hardware and software of an infrastructure. It is important to acknowledge the components of the SCADA system because they are frequently used in machinery. Although the system has provided many benefits to operators, scholars are still trying to ensure that the SCADA system is effective in supervising industrial data because of the increase in data breaches. Academic professionals suggest machinists take the proper procedures to protect the SCADA from vulnerabilities and recognize the role of the system in migrating risks. With the increase in additional studies, researchers are confident in the abilities of the SCADA.