Introduction
Critical Infrastructure systems are the backbone to modern society but are the most at risk for cyber-attacks. These systems are vulnerable due to their growing complexity and reliance on a connected network. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, SCADA, is used to control, monitor and analyze industrial devices and processes (1). These systems include software and hardware as well as remote data collection from equipment. Commonly used SCADA components are supervisory computers, remote terminals or RTUs, programmable logic controllers or PLCs, and human-machine interfaces or HMIs (1). SCADA is used in critical infrastructures to simplify the complexities of the process and optimize workflow but is becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats.
Complexity of Critical Infrastructure
Major critical industries like wind, food and agriculture, and energy rely on routine management and regulation. They need specifically designed systems to ensure stable communication, reliable automation, and consistent availability. Without regulatory monitoring or reporting these systems would not be as effective or stable. Gathering and analyzing data would be extremely difficult to accomplish routinely and accurately due to the amount of data. The development of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, SCADA, was to mitigate the complexities that came with the growing critical infrastructure industry. Optimizing processes and workflow to allow for continuous information regulation.
SCADA Workflow Improvement
For process improvements, SCADA can be used in many ways depending on the system and the desired effect; a known tool is Hypervision. Hypervision gives the operator the ability to monitor systems efficiently and have control over the various systems and equipment from a single station (3). This tool can provide overviews and integrate data from multiple sources (3). This allows for faster execution of routine data collection and summarization (3). Collection and storage of this data is crucial to this industry. SCADA is able to simplify this process and make the information readily available thanks to tools like Hypervision.
SCADA Cybersecurity Concerns
SCADA systems are becoming more vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the interconnectivity of the it’s devices. Critical infrastructures used to be isolated and operated independently. In modern society it’s the opposite. The key to SCADA was its ability to integrate and communicate across multiple systems and devices. This is also its biggest flaw. The integration of major critical infrastructures has led to major outages due to cyber-attacks. The first known outage caused by a cyber attacked occurred in 2015 (2). Malware targeted SCADA systems in three utility companies in Ukraine, resulting in an electrical outage that left hundreds of thousands of homes without power for six hours (2). These types of attacks become more common as technology advances. Additional risk mitigation for SCADA systems is growing in popularity due to its wide usage within Critical Infrastructures.
Conclusion
Critical infrastructure industries need systems that can monitor, collect, analyze and store data securely. SCADA systems were once the answer to the increasingly complexity of critical infrastructure systems and processes. With tools such as Hypervision, it optimizes and simplifies routine information flow. SCADA’s ability to integrate and connect multiple systems throughout a single industry makes it a growing cyber security concern. SCADA systems are used widely throughout critical infrastructure and need to be reevaluated for security risks to avoid major cyber-attacks.
References
- SCADA. (2024). SCADA systems. SCADA Systems. https://www.scadasystems.net/
- Allianz. (2016). Cyber attacks on Critical Infrastructure. Commerical Allianz. https://commercial.allianz.com/news-and-insights/expert-risk-articles/cyber-attacks-on-critical-infrastructure.html
- Pesset, I. (2024, October 29). Industrial supervision: The role of scada systems. Motilde. https://motilde.com/en/industrial-supervision-role-scada-2/