What are SCADA systems?

SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. SCADA systems are a type of industrial control system (ICS) used to monitor, manage, and control industrial processes remotely. They collect data from sensors, equipment, or PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), and allow operators to supervise operations through Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs).

SCADA is essential in sectors such as utilities, manufacturing, transport, and energy, where reliable real-time data and system control are vital.

SCADA systems typically include four main components:

• Field devices (e.g. sensors, actuators, PLCs)
• Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) or PLCs to interface with equipment
• Communication infrastructure (wired or wireless)
• SCADA software running on industrial PCs or servers

These elements work together to collect real-time data from the field, transmit it to a central control room, and allow operators to make informed decisions or automate responses.

• Remote monitoring and control of operations
• Improved efficiency through data-driven decision-making
• Predictive maintenance and reduced downtime
• Historical data logging for compliance and analysis
• Rapid fault detection and response

SCADA improves operational visibility, safety, and performance in both local and geographically distributed systems.

SCADA is commonly used across a wide range of industries including:

• Utilities (water treatment, power distribution, gas pipelines)
• Manufacturing (process automation and quality control)
• Transport (traffic management, railway systems)
• Oil and gas (pipeline monitoring and well control)
• Renewable energy (solar and wind farm management)

An HMI (Human-Machine Interface) is the visual interface between the user and the machine, showing data and allowing control. SCADA refers to the full system that includes the HMI, data acquisition, processing, control, and communication.

So, while every SCADA system includes an HMI, not every HMI is part of a full SCADA deployment.

Modern SCADA systems include advanced security measures such as:

• Role-based access control (RBAC)
• Firewall and VPN support
• Encrypted data transmission
• System event logging

Assured Systems supplies SCADA hardware with built-in support for secure boot, TPM (Trusted Platform Module), and industrial-grade firewalls to help protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

SCADA deployments typically require:

• Industrial Panel PCs or Box PCs for running SCADA software
• PLCs or RTUs for field-level control
• Industrial networking devices (switches, gateways)
• I/O modules for sensor integration

Popular SCADA platforms include:

• Ignition by Inductive Automation
• Wonderware (AVEVA)
• GE iFIX
• Siemens WinCC
• Schneider EcoStruxure

These platforms run on Windows or Linux-based industrial PCs and offer features like data trending, alarm management, reporting, and remote control.

Edge computing in SCADA allows data to be processed close to the source—before it’s sent to the cloud or central server. This reduces latency, improves real-time response, and ensures system resilience even if communication is interrupted.

Assured Systems offers edge-ready embedded PCs with wide temperature tolerance, vibration resistance, and I/O flexibility, making them ideal for SCADA edge deployments.

Yes. Modern SCADA systems often integrate with IoT sensors and platforms to provide extended visibility and control. This is part of the move toward IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), allowing more granular data collection and cloud-based analytics.