SCADA Marketplace











PDF version of this report
You must have Adobe Acrobat reader to view, save, or print PDF files. The
reader is available for free
download
.

SCADA Marketplace

by James G. Barr

Docid: 00021127

Publication Date: 2211

Report Type: MARKET

Preview

The term SCADA, which stands for Supervisory Control And Data
Acquisition, refers to a type of computerized control system that monitors
and regulates industrial processes like oil and gas production;
infrastructure processes like water and wastewater treatment; or
facility-based processes like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC). Importantly, SCADA encompasses the principal enabling technologies
behind electric smart grids.

Report Contents:

Executive Summary

[return to top of this
report]

The term SCADA, which stands for Supervisory Control And Data
Acquisition, refers to a type of computerized control system that monitors
and regulates:

  • Industrial processes like oil and gas production
  • Infrastructure processes like water and wastewater treatment
  • Facility-based processes like heating, ventilation, and air
    conditioning (HVAC)

Related
Faulkner Reports
The Internet of Things Tutorial
The Internet of Things
Market Trends Market

SCADA systems form the foundation of SCADA applications. A SCADA
application has two principal elements:

  1. The process, system, or machinery to be monitored, which can range
    from an automobile engine to a power plant.
  2. A network of intelligent devices that interfaces with the effected
    process, system, or machinery through sensors and control outputs. This
    network, which is the SCADA system, provides the ability to measure and
    control specific elements of the effected process, system, or machinery.1

SCADA applications can function autonomously, in which case “supervisory
control” is exercised directly by the SCADA applications according to a
set of pre-determined rules. SCADA applications can also function under
human direction, in which case the application provides feedback to a
process operator who then initiates the appropriate actions.

In a larger context, SCADA systems and applications are key components in
“process automation,” performing operations more rapidly than humans can,
at lower cost, and, in some cases, with greater safety and security.

Importantly, SCADA encompasses the principal enabling technologies behind
electric smart grids.

SCADA Vs. IIoT

According to analyst Peter Loshin, “SCADA is sometimes compared with the
industrial internet of things (IIoT), and while there is considerable
overlap, the two terms are different. SCADA vendors tend to provide more
complete, monolithic systems with tight integration across levels and
devices, while IIoT vendors are likely to provide greater interoperability
and more options for deploying systems and devices across an
organization.”2

Importantly, SCADA and IIoT offer complementary capabilities.

Market Dynamics

[return to top of this
report]

Typically, SCADA systems and applications are used to automate complex
industrial processes where human control is either logistically impossible
or impractical.

Figure 1. SCADA Is Instrumental in Electric Generation and
Transmission

Figure 1. SCADA Is Instrumental in Electric Generation and Transmission

Source: altenergymag.com

Use Cases

Major SCADA use cases include:

  • Electric generation and
    transmission –
     Electric utilities use SCADA systems
    (please see Figure 1) to detect current flow and line voltage, to
    monitor the operation of circuit breakers, and to place sections of
    the power grid either online or offline.

  • Water and wastewater
    treatment –
     State and municipal water utilities
    use SCADA to monitor and regulate water flow, reservoir levels, pipe
    pressure, and other critical factors.

  • Buildings, facilities, and
    environments –
     Facility managers use SCADA to
    control HVAC, lighting, and entry/exit systems.

  • Manufacturing – SCADA
    systems manage parts inventories for just-in-time manufacturing,
    regulate industrial robots, and monitor process and quality control.

  • Mass transit – Transit
    authorities
    use SCADA to regulate electricity to subways, trams, and trolley
    buses; to automate traffic signals for rail systems; to track and
    locate trains and buses; and to control railroad crossing gates.

Market Opportunities

Oil & Gas

Despite climate change concerns and politically-oriented market
manipulations engineered by the Saudis and other OPEC members, the
on-going expansion of oil and gas exploration and related refinery
operations is continuing to fuel SCADA sales. 

Smart Buildings

The increasing demand for “smart buildings,” including “smart factories,”
and, ultimately, smart communities – is contributing to SCADA’s rise.

A smart building is any structure that utilizes automated procedures to
regulate building operations and improve sustainability. These operations
can include:

  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
  • Lighting
  • Access control and security
  • Elevators
  • Fire safety
  • Air and water quality
  • Digital signage
  • Energy management

With millions of commercial buildings in the US, the opportunity to
replace or retrofit non-smart facilities is enormous, especially as the
effects of climate climate render an overall reduction in energy usage
essential.

Industry 4.0

Characterized by the incorporation of cyber physical systems, the
emergence of “Industry 4.0” or the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” (please
see Figure 2) is accelerating SCADA’s adoption. As defined by the US
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cyber physical
systems represent “the convergence of networking and information
processing technologies with engineered physical systems.”

Figure 2. Industry 1.0 to 4.0

Figure 2. Industry 1.0 to 4.0

Source: Wikimedia Commons

According to Shamika N. Sirimanne, Director of Technology and Logistics
at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),
“Industry 4.0 refers to the ‘smart’ and connected production systems that
are designed to sense, predict, and interact with the physical world, so
as to make decisions that support production in real-time. In
manufacturing, it can increase productivity, energy efficiency, and
sustainability.”For example, in a case study of a multinational in the
plastics sector, Industry 4.0, using energy sensors, reduced the power
consumption in one of its plants by around 40 percent, which saved over
$200,000 a year.”3

Market Challenges

Cybersecurity Exposures

While an all-too-familiar observation, it must be said that supervisory
control and data acquisition systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks,
especially as SCADA features a network of vulnerable sensors, computer
systems, and communication links. As with other IT infrastructure, SCADA
providers must convince their customers and prospective customers that
SCADA systems are secure, or risk declining sales.

Financial Investment

SCADA systems can be pricey. Consider just software, for example.
According to Nucleus Command Systems, “Basic SCADA software costs can
range from a one-time fee under $1,000 to over $10,000 just to place a
runtime version on your computer.”4

Market Leaders

[return to top of this
report]

In a crowded field, the major firms vying for leadership in the SCADA
market include:

  • Siemens (Germany)
  • ABB (Switzerland)
  • Emerson Electric (US)
  • Rockwell Automation (US)
  • Schneider Electric (France)
  • Honeywell International (US)
  • General Electric (US)
  • Mitsubishi Electric (Japan)

[return to top of this
report]

Market Expansion

According to multiple market research firms, SCADA providers should enjoy
increasing sales between now and the end of the decade.  Based on the
forecasts of four prominent firms (please see Table 1), the SCADA market
should experience an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around
8 percent.

Table 1. SCADA Market Forecast
Market Research Firm Present (2021) Value Forecast Value CAGR
Data Bridge Market Research $9.30 billion $17.34 billion (2029) 8.1 % (2022-2029)
MarketsandMarkets $9.20 billion $13.20 billion (2026) 7.6 % (2021-2026)
Global Market Insights $35.00 billion $85.00 billion (2030) 10.0 % (2022-2030)
Precedence Research $35.38 billion $61.22 billion (2030) 6.3 % (2021-2030)

Cloud SCADA

SCADA is moving increasingly to the cloud. As analyst Paul Balsom
reports, “In a cloud-based SCADA system, sensors report information
wirelessly using cellular or satellite networks. Operators can access the
system from any [locale] using a connected phone or tablet. Cloud SCADA
allows employees at a control facility and maintenance crews in the field
to view the data they need.

“The benefits of a cloud-based system start with constant access to
real-time data. The ability to monitor and control the equipment from any
location means a faster response time to problems. Crews will know about a
water main break within moments, and supervisors can reroute the flow if
possible.

“SCADA in the cloud also comes with cost savings over locally-based
models. The utility doesn’t purchase and maintain a dedicated server or
software. Instead, the SaaS provider handles implementation and upgrades
resulting in lower operating costs and smaller up-front investments.”5

Strategic Planning Implications

[return to top of this
report]

In procuring SCADA systems and applications, insist on sufficient
security!

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) networks contain
computers and applications that perform key functions in providing
essential services and commodities (e.g., electricity, natural gas,
gasoline, water, waste treatment, transportation) to all Americans. As
such, they are part of the nation’s critical infrastructure and require
protection from a variety of threats that exist in cyber space today. By
allowing the collection and analysis of data and control of equipment such
as pumps and valves from remote locations, SCADA networks provide great
efficiency and are widely used. However, they also present a security
risk.

To help mitigate that risk, the US Department of Energy suggests some
essential steps to secure SCADA networks. These steps include:

  1. Identify all connections to SCADA networks.
  2. Disconnect unnecessary connections to SCADA networks.
  3. Harden SCADA networks by removing or disabling unnecessary services.
  4. Implement the security features provided by SCADA system vendors.
  5. Implement internal and external intrusion detection systems, and
    establish 24-hour-a-day incident monitoring.
  6. Perform technical audits of SCADA devices and networks, and
    any other connected networks, to identify security concerns.
  7. Conduct physical security surveys and assess all remote sites
    connected to SCADA networks to evaluate their security.
  8. Establish policies and conduct training to minimize the likelihood
    that organizational personnel will inadvertently disclose sensitive
    information regarding SCADA system design, operations, or security
    controls.

With respect to item 6, technical audits of SCADA devices and networks
are critical to ongoing security effectiveness. Many commercial and
open-source security tools are available that allow system administrators
to conduct audits of their systems/networks to identify active services,
patch level, and common vulnerabilities. The use of these tools will
not solve systemic problems, but will eliminate the “paths of least
resistance” that an attacker could exploit. Analyze identified
vulnerabilities to determine their significance, and take corrective
actions as appropriate. Track corrective actions and analyze this
information to identify trends. Additionally, retest systems after
corrective actions have been taken to ensure that vulnerabilities were
actually eliminated. Scan non-production environments actively to
identify and address potential problems.6

[return to top of this
report]

References

About the Author

[return to top of this
report]

James G. Barr is a leading business continuity analyst
and business writer with more than 30 years’ IT experience. A member
of “Who’s Who in Finance and Industry,” Mr. Barr has designed, developed,
and deployed business continuity plans for a number of Fortune 500
firms. He is the author of several books, including How to
Succeed in Business BY Really Trying
, a member of Faulkner’s
Advisory Panel, and a senior editor for Faulkner’s Security
Management Practices
. Mr. Barr can be reached via e-mail
at jgbarr@faulkner.com.

[return to top of this
report]