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Objectives of SCADA Systems

SCADA stands for "Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition." SCADA systems are ubiquitous in almost every sector of society, and are specifically used to control large-scale systems that have to control and report large numbers of variables. According to the SANS Technology Institute, any computerized control system is likely to utilize SCADA technology. The Team for Research in Ubiquitous Secure Technology indicates that SCADA is so widespread that there is a continuing effort to keep SCADA systems up to date and improve upon them. The University of Texas adds that SCADA is especially utilized in real-time systems, radio communication systems and sewage systems.

SCADA Basics
- SCADA can help maintain large and complex systems by reporting data and providing control capabilities to the command centers that serve the systems. SCADA uses large numbers of microchips attached to data transmitters and sensors to help provide a big-picture view of all the factors affecting the system. They can also accept input commands to modify the system to handle detected changes. SCADA systems are analogous to the nerve endings in the human body, in that they tell the brain what is happening and let it decide how to react.
SCADA Utilization
- SCADA is utilized in numerous industries worldwide. Sewage systems, oil pipelines, computer networks and irrigation channels can all utilize SCADA technology to give operators an idea of what is happening throughout the system and adjust it as needed. SCADA systems can become incredibly complex, and be comprised of thousands of detectors and control mechanisms. They have helped support automation across some of the most productive and vital industries, which has reduced labor inputs and increased predictability and reliability.
SCADA and Automation
- SCADA allows some systems to be almost entirely automated, reducing human errors and allowing significant control to be delegated to the few operators needed to keep an eye on things. Computer programs and basic scripts can be set up to control most of a system through SCADA. These can often react faster than a human could to keep the system operating within a specified set of parameters.
Dangers of SCADA Systems
- SCADA systems can become so automated that they actually become vulnerable to major, unpredicted changes in the system equilibrium. Because they rely on computer technology, they can be disrupted by electromagnetic phenomena such as major solar storms. SCADA systems may also be vulnerable to hacking. As reliance upon them increases, it becomes more and more dangerous if they fail, as an entire system could be disabled, damaged or even fail catastrophically.

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