Control Systems / Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) Lab

Using this lab equipment, participants are tuned into the vulnerabilities associated with the computer based automation of controls.  These controls are  associated with infrastructure systems such as electrical grids,  water & sewage systems, and gas & oil pipelines and storage. They are also integral in building controls such as heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), fire detection and suppression, and physical security.  Students are exposed to specialized control system devices such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and to specialized control software such as human machine interface (HMI) software controllers. Research focuses upon the extent of vulnerabilities in this arena and the interface between IT personnel and physical plant personnel who are typically responsible for control systems.

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