The Role of SCADA in Manufacturing and Cybersecurity

Let’s face it. We’re on high cybersecurity alert, especially in the manufacturing sector. Why? Quite frankly – the threat landscape has expanded significantly, cyber criminals have really improved their game, and we’re just generally more aware of it at this point thanks to a series of high-profile events. But with the bad comes the good. While technical advances have already sent operators in the industry on a path toward digitalization, this growing emphasis on cybersecurity ensures that they continue to do so in a safe manner. The industry is getting the hint. Cybersecurity is really important these days, and we need to take action to implement it into our daily business functions. But first, it’s always helpful to understand the environment creating this shift in perspective and the tools that we have available to streamline the process. For this first post, we are focusing on the role of something that we discuss a lot here at AtomTech™, SCADA. Let’s dive in.

Rising Threats to Manufacturing Security

Just as a reminder - Russia invaded Ukraine leading to a war with no end in sight, at least during the current moment. While this unfortunate situation doesn’t seem to have a connection to manufacturing on the surface, it actually poses a real risk to the sector. Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) have proven to be prime targets for Russia’s cyber assaults, which has escalated concerns for Ukraine’s western allies. In the Unites States, the National Security Agency (NSA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a warning that attackers had developed methods for compromising ICS and SCADA devices, which are foundational systems for manufacturing.

This was piled on impacts already stemming from the pandemic. The pandemic has been a game changer for many reasons. For manufacturers, it sent their work into overdrive, which put even more pressure on a stressed-out supply chain. In the meantime, more vulnerabilities appeared allowing hackers to access and disrupt elements of production.

Added to that were the cybersecurity issues popping up with the ongoing turn to smart factories and their dependence on connected devices. In fact, a survey by Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation revealed that 48% of respondents classified operational risks like cybersecurity as “the greatest danger to smart factory initiatives,” according to Supply & Demand Chain Executive. Although it is important to note that the innovations involved in smart factory technology are ushering in a new era for manufacturing and offering unmatched benefits to outcomes such as productivity, they can overly expose systems through remote applications.

The Role of SCADA

So, what do these concerns have in common other than cybersecurity and manufacturing? The answer is SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition systems). Over time, SCADA functions have matured. As explained at Automation.com, “SCADA originated as a solution for operations that span broad geographical areas, for example, pipelines and utilities. Later, a variant that uses an HMI in conjunction with PLCs evolved for plant automation applications.” Essentially these systems have been developed to support the collection and control of critical data. In today’s setting, SCADA systems are increasingly integrated with growing levels of industrial automation architecture and cloud technologies, including IIoT. In turn, their use is skyrocketing. Global Market Insights Inc. predicts that the SCADA market valuation will reach 85 billion by 2030.

Also fueling the growth of SCADA is the opportunity it presents to apply other burgeoning technologies. Because of its relation to IIoT, SCADA is proving to be a strong foundation for edge computing, which enhances other functions like running AI and ML and improving energy management. At the same time, this is all putting them in a position where they are more easily accessible. Combine this with the information that they house, it’s no wonder they are a target.

All of this is a long-winded way of saying that SCADA is a crucial component of manufacturing, therefore in great need of protection from the threat landscape building around it. It is absolutely necessary to keep these systems up to date and adopt tools and practices that help you do so. One suggestion is to apply advanced remote alarm notification software. This allows remote operators to pull data but prevents entrance to the SCADA itself. But, if you need more help handling SCADA security, reach out to our AtomTech team. Our purpose is to provide you with solutions to implementing such operations.

Sources

        “NSA and CISA: Here's how hackers are going after critical systems, and what you need to do about it” - Liam Tung, ZDNet
https://www.zdnet.com/article/nsa-and-cisa-heres-how-hackers-are-going-after-critical-systems-and-what-you-need-to-do-about-it/

        “Supply Chains’ Digital Transformation Exposes Vulnerabilities” - Cody Brann, Supply & Demand Chain Executive
https://www.sdcexec.com/safety-security/plant-safety/article/22484403/win911-supply-chains-digital-transformation-exposes-vulnerabilities

        “The Roles of DCS and SCADA in Digital Transformation” - Kevin Finnan & Wataru Nakagawa, Automation.com
https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/september-2021/roles-dcs-scada-digital-transformation

        “Global SCADA Market revenue to Hit $85 Bn By 2030, Says Global Market Insights Inc.” - Global Market Insights, Global Newswire

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/10/17/2535327/0/en/Global-SCADA-Market-revenue-to-Hit-85-Bn-By-2030-Says-Global-Market-Insights-Inc.html

        “Edge computing: 4 use cases for the industrial sector” - Kevin Casey, The Enterprisers Project
 
https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2022/9/edge-computing-industrial-sector

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