The water department requires security assessment and detailed implementation of methods for robust integration, efficiency, and a system with in-depth optimization. An ideal monitoring system for water supply brings the entire operation to the network and provides constant monitoring, including the assessment of vulnerable areas. In case of any security breach or abnormal operating condition, the system provides signals to the operator at a remote site to take adequate measures. Systems allow to automatically report certain conditions and perform remote control action in case of shutdown or isolation in the water distribution system. While the above might sound like a futuristic vision, but with emerging technologies and proper implementation, it’s called a SCADA system.
SCADA
SCADA stands for “Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.” SCADA system is a distributed computer system that is used for operations and management of equipment to help in monitoring and automation. The communication network is mostly spread throughout the water distribution system and is operated from a PLC based control room from a treatment plant, which allows the operator to view the entire process, manipulate the system and form control actions. At the plant, Programmable Logic Controllers(PLC) can supervise processes like chemical treatment, water irrigation, water cleaning station, and filtration. By setting up a Local Area Network (LAN), controllers can be connected to the workstation and can be remotely manipulated from anywhere around the world.
The SCADA system can:
- Reduce or eliminate human-based patrols and provide constant monitoring, system-wide.
- Typically expand quickly via additional I/O points, RTU devices, and network links
- Automatically react to alarms and events by performing emergency shutdowns or other control actions
- Coordinate security measures with process operations
- Record alarms, hazards, and events
Leveraging the SCADA System
The SCADA system is an efficient way for water companies to leverage and enhance their processes through existing resources. SCADA augments the capabilities of water plants and provides robust security system with well-coordinated operations, which can be measured at each and every stage. When the SCADA system is linked to various monitoring equipments and devices, it reduces the need for human intervention as SCADA can provide constant monitoring of all types of equipment from any location. These equipments include video cameras, boilers, motors, motion detectors, keyboards, entry devices, biometric devices, card readers and these interfaces can directly be communicated through the
SCADA network or Remote terminal unit(RTU). SCADA systems can automatically react to conditions such as starting and stopping of equipments and pumps, opening and closing of valves, the emergency shutdown of processes, and alarming the security unit in case of any breach, which helps the entire unit to be automated and be controlled from a workstation.
Implementation of Security Measures
The pump stations are a great example where RTU is used for maximum efficiency, scheduled for non-peak times. Pump operations are quite complicated and require them to run on maximum efficiency and schedule according to run-time maintenance purposes. This system works in various construction processes with modeling software, which requires RTU to start or stop the pump whenever there is a change in demand and supply.
Secure SCADA System
As industries and company experts implement SCADA in their units, it becomes an important question to ask, how secure are SCADA systems? SCADA systems are perfect for security measures as they are equipped with backup power, systems distributed workstations, password security, remote control, and performance optimization.
Operators can directly connect the main power to RTU from the system and equip them with the backup battery solution, which won’t stop the operation. Systems continue running even after a power failure. In case of connectivity issues, the SCADA system can quickly detect and report which particular phase isn’t working and doesn’t keep any operations in the dark.
Remote sites like energy stations and pump stations can use this network by combining two excellent technologies of hard wired and wireless communication to keep the site out of the dark. The private network scanner provides a great deal of security and keeps hackers away from accessing the network. This ensures that any kind of computer or any device connected on the internet can’t harm the devices on the site.
SCADA systems use encrypted command sets, which make sure that the communication protocols in programming tools are secure. In case of a security breach, it can cause problems to the processing operations, which include damaging process equipment and services to your customers, which can cause a lot of trouble to the community and consumers.
Utilization of SCADA System
With the implementation of the SCADA system, enterprises can easily distinguish between normal and abnormal operations, as most of the monitoring functions are discreet and cause an alarm if the configurations are changed. For example, in the water treatment plant, the system can recognise if the amount of chlorine in water is increased and is the water drinkable and usable for the consumers. SCADA system constantly checks water levels and ensures when to switch on and switch off the pump for water distribution in different areas.
SCADA systems can be implemented in water treatment and water operations plants, as water companies can leverage their existing infrastructure and resources to achieve optimized operations at scale. Typically, SCADA interlopes the entire operation and makes sure that the company’s security and resourcefulness make the processes efficient and more profitable in the long term.
