ICS-SCADA Security

ICS-SCADA Security is a specialized domain within cybersecurity focused on protecting Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems—the operational technology (OT) used to monitor and control physical processes in critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing plants. This field addresses the unique challenge of securing these environments against cyber threats that could lead to significant physical disruption, environmental damage, or threats to human safety. Unlike traditional IT security, which often prioritizes confidentiality, ICS-SCADA security places the highest emphasis on system availability and operational safety, contending with legacy systems, proprietary protocols, and the direct link between cyber events and real-world physical consequences.

1. Introduction to Industrial Control Systems and Operational Technology
   1. Defining Core ICS Components
      1. Industrial Control Systems Overview
      2. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems
      3. Distributed Control Systems
      4. Programmable Logic Controllers
      5. Remote Terminal Units
      6. Intelligent Electronic Devices
      7. Human Machine Interfaces
   2. Critical Infrastructure Applications
      1. Energy Sector Implementation
         1. Power Generation Systems
         2. Electrical Transmission Networks
         3. Oil and Gas Production Facilities
         4. Petroleum Distribution Systems
         5. Renewable Energy Integration
      2. Water and Wastewater Management
         1. Water Treatment Operations
         2. Wastewater Processing Facilities
         3. Distribution Network Control
         4. Quality Monitoring Systems
      3. Manufacturing and Industrial Production
         1. Discrete Manufacturing Control
         2. Process Manufacturing Systems
         3. Food and Beverage Processing
         4. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Production
         5. Automotive Manufacturing
      4. Transportation Infrastructure
         1. Railway Control Systems
         2. Airport Operations and Air Traffic Control
         3. Maritime Port Management
         4. Highway Traffic Management
         5. Pipeline Transportation
      5. Building and Facility Automation
         1. HVAC Control Systems
         2. Lighting and Energy Management
         3. Fire Safety and Suppression
         4. Physical Security and Access Control
   3. Historical Development of Industrial Control
      1. Early Pneumatic and Analog Control
      2. Transition to Digital Control Systems
      3. Introduction of Microprocessor-Based Controllers
      4. Development of Networked Control Architecture
      5. Integration with Enterprise Information Systems
      6. Evolution Toward Remote Operations
      7. Modern Smart Manufacturing Trends