Category: Industrial Control Systems (ICS)

This graphic depicts the ICS process flow. We see the field devices that provide the process data. This is where the actual physical process happens, be it the mixing of chemicals or the management of trains, or the measuring of the pressure of gas at a certain point in a pipeline. A field controller collects […]

A typical ICS contains numerous control loops, human interfaces, as well as remote diagnostics and maintenance tools. They are built using an array of network protocols on layered network architectures, allowing ICS support staff and vendors access to diagnose and correct operational problems. A control loop, single-loop control is the fundamental building block of industrial […]

Process data are not only used for control. For example, the data can also be used to:

PCS, sometimes called ICS, function as pieces of equipment along the production line during manufacturing, testing the process and returning data for monitoring and troubleshooting. PCS are architecturally similar to SCADA systems, but also perform many of the functions of a DCS, and are similarly used at site facilities. PCS supports a variety of manufacturing […]

Through a proper command structure and information flow, the DCS architecture unites sub-systems. This includes the basic elements, such as engineering workstation, operating station, smart devices, and communication system. Copyright: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

SCADA is used in a wide range of industries. Some of the common places that use SCADA for various processes include: Common uses for SCADA Copyright: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Due to the distribution of control system’s architecture of DCS, it has become prominent in large and complex industrial processes. They include: Common uses for DCS Copyright: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

DCS were initially developed to support large process industries such as refineries and chemical plants. The DCS controllers are distributed throughout the plant; hence the name distributed control system. They are typically deployed at site facilities over the plant or control area. DCS are different from a centralized control system where a single controller handles […]

This is a depiction SCADA system. You can see from the diagram theflow of information through the ICS process. It shows corporate IT separated from the processing area by the supervisory network. Typically, SCADA is used to describe an ICS that monitors and controls transmission and distribution facilities. These facilities are geographically spread over large […]

SCADA is an acronym for supervisory and data acquisition, a computer system  for gathering and analyzing real time data. SCADA systems typically used to control geographically dispersed assets that are often scattered over thousands of square kilometers. In the past, communications between field controllers and host computers were dependent upon serial communications, most typically RS232. […]