Jonathan Rice

SCADA Systems, standing for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition,
helps mitigate risks by doing tasks automatically and giving information to a
supervisor while still allowing a supervisor tell it what to do in case the process
needs to be changed. It also can contain many other systems to help the user, for
instance a trouble shooting guide. (SCADA Systems pp 1-2)

The vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems

The vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems can be poor or default
passwords, outdated software, lack of multi-step authentication, and lack of
awareness of cybersecurity threats, for example a phishing email. (Office of the
Director of National Intelligence, 2024 p. 2).

How SCADA can help reduce the risks

SCADA can help reduce these risks by not having a system that can be
easily tampered with outside of the facility it is housed in, therefore any normal
internet attack that is caused by lack of awareness should be reduced, like
malicious attacks through things like emails. Thanks to the third generation of this
technology, we are able to upgrade our software to our cybersecurity needs can be
met and should be able to add multifactor authentication furthering the safety past
just a password.

References:
Office of the Director of National Intelligence. (2024). Recent Cyber Attacks on
US Infrastructure Underscore Vulnerability of Critical US Systems.
https://www.dni.gov/files/CTIIC/documents/products/Recent_Cyber_Attacks_on_
US_Infrastructure_Underscore_Vulnerability_of_Critical_US_Systems-
June2024.pdf
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DvxnWUSLe27H5u8A6yyIS9Qz7BVt_8p2
WeNHctGVboY/edit?tab=t.0