SUMMARY
Critical Infrastructure Systems (CIS) are vulnerable to cyberattacks, infrastructure degradation, human errors, and natural disasters. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems can play a crucial role in mitigating these risk factors.
Critical infrastructure includes the vast network of highways, connecting bridges and tunnels, railways, utilities and buildings necessary to maintain normalcy in daily life. Transportation, commerce, clean water and electricity all rely on these vital systems. (Critical Infrastructure | Homeland Security, n.d.)
SCADA systems are highly distributed systems used to control geographically dispersed assets, often scattered over thousands of square kilometers, where centralized data acquisition and control are critical to system operation. They are used in distribution systems such as water distribution and wastewater collection systems, oil and natural gas pipelines, electrical power grids, and railway transportation systems. (Stouffer et al., 2013).
VULNERABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) works with national labs, universities and public and private industry partners to develop better ways to protect infrastructure, or, in the event of a problem, provide the means for the most rapid recovery. (Critical Infrastructure | Homeland Security, n.d.) Risks include cyberattacks, infrastructure degradation, human errors, and natural disasters.
ROLE SCADA APPLICATIONS PLAY IN MITIGATING VULNERABILITIES
SCADA systems are crucial in monitoring, controlling, and securing CIS. They mitigate vulnerabilities in many ways, including real-time alert monitoring with centralized monitoring and control for field sites over long-distance communications networks, monitoring alarms, and processing status data. (Stouffer et al., 2013). Based on information received from remote stations, automated or operator-driven supervisory commands can be pushed to remote station control devices, often called field devices, minimizing the need for on-site intervention and human errors. Field devices control local operations such as opening and closing valves and breakers, collecting data from sensor systems, and monitoring the local environment for alarm conditions. This is crucial in hazardous or inaccessible areas, as it reduces downtime and operational risks. By collecting data, SCADA systems help identify patterns, optimize performance, and detect potential threats before they escalate. (Stouffer et al., 2013) Some SCADA systems integrate with security information and event management (SIEM) systems to detect unauthorized access and initiate automatic responses. SCADA systems incorporate redundancy and failover operations to reduce the risk of complete system downtime in case of natural disasters.
CONCLUSION
SCADA systems are highly effective in mitigating vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems (CIS). However, it is important to note they also require stringent security measures to prevent them from becoming targets themselves. Ensuring the security and integrity of SCADA systems is essential, as only well-protected SCADA systems can deliver the real-time monitoring, automation, and remote control capabilities necessary to enhance resilience and security across CIS. (SCADA Systems – SCADA Systems, 2018)
REFERENCES
Critical Infrastructure | Homeland Security. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/archive/science-and-technology/critical-infrastructure#:~:text=Critical%20infrastructure%20includes%20the%20vast,rely%20on%20these%20vital%20systems.
Stouffer, K., Falco, J., Scarfone, K., & Computer Security Division (Information Technology Lab). (2013). NIST Special Publication 800-82 Revision 1. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-82.pdfSCADA Systems – SCADA Systems. (2018, July 25). SCADA Systems. https://www.scadasystems.net/