BLUF

SCADA Systems are a collection of hardware and software technology that is meant to process and sort through real-time operational technologies. For example, things like power grids, water treatment plants, transportation networks, and more. It does not control any of that data, it merely acts as a processor.

Vulnerabilities

Some of the main vulnerabilities that occur with Critical infrastructure systems are Natural disasters, physical attacks, human error, and system failures. With natural disasters, because it is an unmanned operational system, damage can be done to the physical unit, causing misreadings or system failure as a whole. With physical attacks, an example could be terrorism. In an airport, someone could intentionally damage and destroy any critical infrastructure systems that could interfere with the regular flow of business and be part of a bigger attack plan. Human error is self-explanatory; data can be interpreted incorrectly, systems can be mishandled and accidentally shut down, etc.

Mitigation

With the use of SCADA systems, these concerns could be easily addressed. SCADA can provide real-time alerts to ensure any discrepancies are handled as quickly and efficiently as possible. They can also hold onto backlogs of information that can be used to predict attacks and future risk planning. Most modern SCADAs tend to have better security systems overall. Also, with its remote access, it drastically improves crisis response times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, critical infrastructure is becoming increasingly vulnerable to a larger range of attacks. SCADA systems can be used to easily identify threats, keep a thorough history of past attacks, and help plan for future risks. However, it must be properly managed and maintained to continue to be an asset and not a burden or new vulnerability.

Resource

https://www.onlogic.com/blog/what-is-a-scada-system-and-how-does-it-work/