Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (Scada)

Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition systems (SCADA) are automated remote control systems used to monitor and control industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based processes. In SCADA systems, a central computer system collects data from various sensors and devices located throughout the controlled environment. This information is then processed and used to generate status reports, control outputs, or alarm conditions. SCADA systems were originally developed for use in the utility industry, specifically for monitoring and controlling electric power grids.

Today, however, SCADA systems are used in a wide variety of industries including water treatment and distribution, oil and gas exploration and production, transportation systems, manufacturing plants, and more. Many of these applications are mission-critical; for example, a SCADA system may be responsible for monitoring the safety-critical functions of a nuclear power plant. The term “SCADA” is sometimes used interchangeably with “ Industrial Control System s” (ICS), although there are some important distinctions between the two.

In general, SCADA systems tend to be larger and more complex than ICSs; they often span multiple sites or facilities and may involve thousands of individual devices and sensors. ICSs are typically used to control single processes or small groups of closely related processes; they are often found in manufacturing plants or other industrial settings.