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SCADA systems and security equipment alarms

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems can integrate data from motion sensors, security lights, window/door alarms, surveillance cameras and other security equipment alarms. Should you program your SCADA system to monitor and evaluate your security equipment alarm data, or connect your security equipment to a separate alarm control panel?

Consider these factors in making this decision.

  • Is your SCADA system connected to the internet?
  • How secure are your data transmitting units?
  • Who will maintain your security alarm equipment?
  • Who will evaluate and respond to your security equipment alarm data?

Is Your SCADA system connected to the internet?

Computer hackers can use SCADA system internet connections to enter and disable your security equipment alarms. Your security alarm system will be more vulnerable if you program it into your internet-connected SCADA system. Your security alarm system will be more secure if you connect it to its own control panel with a fiber optic line. This type of connection also maintains security protection when you have lost power, have the SCADA system down for repairs or upgrades, or are in an emergency manual operation mode.

How secure are your data transmitting units?

Typical SCADA system hardware includes Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs) to transmit data to the computer/primary control center. If you install a motion detector in a remote lift station, will you transmit the security alarm data through a RTU to your SCADA system? If so, consider these factors in evaluating the reliability of the security equipment data.

  • Is the RTU/SCADA system able to function at all times to receive data?
  • Can the transmitted RTU data be intercepted, altered or interrupted during transmission?
  • Can the RTU unit or security equipment be remotely deactivated?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then your security equipment alarms are vulnerable to false readings. Consider how to transmit your security equipment alarm data in a more secure way, such as through telephone lines or fiber optic lines.

Fiber optic lines are able to transmit more information than a telephone line. Transmission of photographic images of a plant from surveillance cameras requires more data storage and speed transmission capabilities than the transmission of equipment on/off status data. Remote evaluation of images from surveillance cameras by a security company may require the installation of fiber optic lines.

When choosing your type of transmission system consider:

  • the speed of transmission needed;
  • the amount of data that can be transferred;
  • who will evaluate the security alarm data; and
  • the cost.

Who will maintain your security alarm equipment?

Security equipment alarms need to be tested annually to make sure they work. Security firms who install security equipment often offer a very low cost annual maintenance fee with a life-time warranty on their installed security equipment.

Some security firms may not be familiar with installing and maintaining security equipment that is connected to a SCADA system. They may charge you more initially for this type of installation, or you may need to have both the security firm and wastewater treatment staff perform annual maintenance. It may be more costly to maintain your security equipment alarm system if it is programmed into your SCADA system, than if it is installed on its own separate control panel.

Consider the initial installation cost and the annual maintenance cost into your decision to program your SCADA system to receive security equipment alarm data.

Who will evaluate your security alarms?

Operators routinely evaluate and respond to mechanical and electrical failures at wastewater treatment plants. But experts recommend professionals trained in self-defense respond to security equipment alarms.

For the quickest police response, you may want to convey your security equipment alarms directly to your local police department. If your police department doesn't have the ability to receive your calls or digital readings through a dispatch center, you could use a security firm to receive and evaluate the alarms and then call the local police department for response.

An added benefit of a separate security alarm control panel is that you can also connect in temperature and smoke detector alarms. All of these "first-responder" type alarms can be consolidated into one control panel. This data can then be transferred to a local dispatch department or security company for evaluation and response referral.

Ultimately, the question you need to ask is: "How can we achieve the fastest response to a security breach or fire?" Your answer to this question will help determine whom you choose to receive and evaluate security equipment alarms for response.

Source: Wisconsin Wastewater Operators' Association, "The Clarifier," Volume 158, December 2004