Bottom Line Up Front
Critical infrastructures are important to the functionality of our nation, which requires companies to stay on top of the many security risks that it poses. SCADA systems help critical infrastructures mitigate vulnerabilities through the use of real time monitoring, and keeps record of all data. It alerts the HMI when there is a potential problem and vulnerability allowing for humans to come in and fix it. It also allows companies to track regular maintenance so they can manage it before it becomes an issue.
Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
There are multiple forms of critical infrastructure, some include water, wastewater, dams, transportation, chemical, energy grids, and more (Perusall, n.d.). These critical infrastructures play a fundamental role in our society (PELCO, n.d.). When these systems are running well, society as a whole runs better. But with that being said, it is crucial that we maintain the integrity of the structure regardless of outside factors. These infrastructures contain major vulnerabilities. Not only is it a big target for cyber attacks, but it’s also at risk from weather, natural disasters, and potential problems associated with poor maintenance. By using humans alone to maintain these sites, opens the door to human errors. People experience exhaustion, being busy and distracted, as well as simple negligence (EZSoft, Inc., 2026). By utilizing outside resources such as the SCADA system we can help mitigate these risks.
SCADA Systems Application
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (Perusall, n.d.). Utilizing SCADA systems on critical infrastructure helps monitor and manage the different functions in each system, as well as mitigates risks and potential damage to the systems. It monitors in real time every function that goes into each infrastructure. For example, in a water system it will then monitor and manage the pressure and whether a valve is open or closed. If an issue arises such as too much pressure built up, it will set off an alarm to the HMI (Human Machine Interface) notifying what and where the problem is. Unlike human capabilities, it’s able to manage thousands of functions at once. The SCADA system takes and stores the information it is given, while relaying what it records to the HMI at all times allowing people to watch and manage things. It uses the Tag systems to organize the different parts by name so that when one is looking at the outputs it knows exactly which one it’s looking at (Perusall, n.d.). It also uses RTUs (Remote Terminal Unit) to control pumps, and valves of different systems that allows humans to open and close the pumps as needed (Perusall, n.d.). According to EZSoft, Inc. (2026) one can also program the SCADA system to turn off a machine before it experiences permanent damage, or potentially life threatening situations towards humans. By using SCADA systems in critical infrastructure the company is able to help mitigate problems such as cyber attacks by keeping record of real time data regarding what happened before it failed and when (EZSoft, Inc., 2026). It helps the companies track scheduled maintenance before it poses an issue, and it also helps manage temperatures in ways that humans can’t. One can also include backup hardware in SCADA systems so that when a part fails it has automatic backup. This helps maintain smooth operation even through failure, giving each organization time to replace the part that has failed (Perusall, n.d.).
Conclusion
Critical infrastructures play a pivotal role in the functionality of society. When there is something as big as this, there’s a responsibility that comes alongside it to maintain its security and safety. By using SCADA systems, companies are able to feel confident in their infrastructure’s functions knowing that everything is operating as it should. It monitors and relays information back to the HMI that allows humans to control and make decisions in real time. An organization is also able to utilize other resources alongside the SCADA system to provide functions that can alter things within the infrastructure at the command of a person. But through it all, it maintains a record of all previous data in case of an attack so they will know what changed and when. Utilizing SCADA systems helps maintain the security while mitigating risks associated with the critical infrastructures.
References
EZSoft, Inc. (2026, March 26). How Does a SCADA Monitoring System Enhance Operational Safety and Risk Management. Retrieved April 12, 2026, from https://ezsoft-inc.com/how-does-a-scada-monitoring-system-enhance-operational-safety-and-risk-management/
PELCO. (n.d.). Preventing breaches and cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. Retrieved April 12, 2026, from https://www.pelco.com/blog/critical-infrastructure-cyber-attacks
Perusall. (n.d.). Critical Infrastructure. Retrieved April 12, 2026, from https://app.perusall.com/courses/202520_cyse200t_25254-cybersecurity-technol-society/guide-critical-infrastructure-security-resilience?assignmentId=Qpq5rdnQck2w3AJHR&part=1&panel=assignmentInformation
Perusall. (n.d.). SCADA Systems. Retrieved April 12, 2026, from https://app.perusall.com/courses/202520_cyse200t_25254-cybersecurity-technol-society/scada-systems?assignmentId=sWybaJW997P3NokDp&part=1&filter=mine