SCADA systems are the brains in our functioning society; they control and communicate with hardware and software to run our everyday lives. For example, if a SCADA system at a power plant there would be no power until the issue was fixed. One of the major problems with the security of a SCADA system is the attitude towards its need for security. Operators believe that they do not need high protection because the systems are mainly connected to a physical network with little or no access to the internet. This is simply not true; some devices on the SCADA system require a connection for sending data back and forth as well as updates to firmware. The operators that know this believe that a VPN would protect them which simply is not the case. The danger of these vulnerabilities is due to a SCADA system’s control over society. If a system were to be hacked into it is possible that the hacker can disrupt important infrastructure and bring an entire country to its knees in a single night. This is because the SCADA system controls oil output, water, and electricity as well as traffic and gas control. (SCADA systems) Because of the different types of applications that SCADA systems have, it is possible that operators can mitigate the risk of a cyberattack on the system. The human interface is the best way for operators and managers to monitor outputs and inputs both on the network itself and read the machine’s status. This is an important tool to detect if there is a malfunction or a cyber attack. Another system that can reduce the risk of an attack is the supervisor system which is the administrative system that would allow a supervisor to communicate with the entire system. This is the most critical part of the system and is very well defended with firewalls. If this system were to be hacked then the whole system would fall apart. However, it is hosted on multiple servers so if one were to be hacked it’s possible that the hacker could be contained. (Admin,2021)       

References

Admin. (2021, December 13). SCADA system architecture, types and applications. WatElectronics.com. Retrieved March 27, 2022, from https://www.watelectronics.com/scada-system-architecture-types-applications/ 

SCADA systems. SCADA Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2022, from http://www.scadasystems.net/