Industrial Control Systems (ICS) have been in existence for decades in the United States. These systems are relatively unknown to the general public and were designed to control our critical infrastructure such as utilities (electricity, nuclear power, and water treatment plants). Until recently, these systems were connected to company networks by privately owned IT networks based on private line technology. Public utility companies have begun to connect ICS networks to public networks such as the Internet as they transition to TCP/IP based networks. This trend is accomplishing the much needed modernization of the nation’s IT networks supporting the critical infrastructure and setting the groundwork for developing the federally mandated Smart Grid. The ICS network transition to public networks has many benefits and risks. The increased risk to the smart grid must be addressed by the USG partnering with private industry.
Learning Objectives
- The importance of Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
- Understand supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software
- Identify Smart Grid Architecture Components
- Identify threats to the Smart Grid and SCADA systems
- Evaluate the role of NIST and DHS in developing and protecting the Smart Grid
- Understand Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- Evaluate threats to Industrial Control Systems
- Understand the role of FISMA compliance in protecting ICS
- Explain how ICS will transition to IT systems