Alert modeling on supervisory control and data acquisition system with remote terminal unit

Abstract: Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems have evolved over from standalone, compartmentalized operations into networked architectures that communicate across large distances. In addition, their implementations have migrated from custom hardware and software to standard hardware and software platforms. These changes have led to reduced development and operational as well as providing executive management with real-time information that can be used to support planning, supervision, and decision making. For reasons of efficiency, maintenance, data acquisition and control platforms have migrated from isolated in-plant networks security using proprietary hardware and software to Remote Terminal Unit using standard software, network protocols, and the Internet. Control engineering might be absorbed or closely integrated with the corporate software. Integrating SCADA data collection and alert monitoring with corporate customer data provides management with an increased ability to run the organization more efficiently and effectively. This thesis provides a conceptual analysis for the creation of a SCADA network security exploration alert. A framework application using common SCADA network security logic is created to provide a proof of concept. Development of a viable alert system for identifying SCADA network remotely will help improve critical infrastructure security by improving situational awareness for network managers.M.Eng