What are the benefits and challenges of using cloud-based SCADA solutions?

Interesting question, In my opinion, many customers are moving towards Cloud-based SCADA for the flexibility it provides, It removes the need to increase CAPEX from buying, installing, maintaining and securing new servers as all will be on the provider side. In general, Cloud-based SCADA make it easy to customer to access their data anywhere and anytime but with few challenges .To summarize challenges: Cybersecurity risks, reachability, Communication issues and dealing with high sensitive data on a provider cloud and not owning the whole solution in one place.

In my view, the greatest advantage of cloud-based SCADA lies in its ability to aggregate data generated across numerous nodes within a factory and present it in a more easily consumable format. There's a clear opportunity to enhance the usability of this data further.

In my opinion the benefit lies in the use of resource and reduction of hardware/software management/maintenance overheads. The Cloud provider can take care of the Infrastructure and the Pay as use model can help reduce inhouse cost.

Cloud providers are coming with crazy cool big data platforms that allow for cloud based performance optimization, in-shift optimization and assets condition monitoring, this all over and above Cloud SCADA applications of config virtualization and instant provisioning. This is great for new factories that can diode data directly out of the shopfloor into the Cloud.

Cloud-based SCADA solutions offer greater flexibility in terms of deployment options and access. Users can access SCADA data and applications from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote monitoring, control, and management of industrial processes

Regarding costs, I take a contrarian stance. I believe that a one-time license purchase not only offers lower costs but also entails less risk. One observation I've made is that as data accumulates on a single platform, migrating it to another becomes increasingly challenging. This situation also allows service providers to potentially steeply increase pricing.

Integrating a cloud-based SCADA system with existing legacy systems is a complex task. Compatibility issues, data migration challenges, and ensuring consistent quality performance across different platforms can all present difficulties during the setup process.

Compatibility of Traditional SCADA is a challenge. Most of the Popular SCADA systems might not work on cloud. Another challenge is the criticality of use. If the need of connectivity between the Slave and Master is time critical Cloud based solution may not be feasible. Security is always a concern with SCADA that most of the time they are managing a Critical Infrastructure and putting it out of the trust boundary (Physical Security) could have more risks then benefits.

How do you deal with critical infrastructure? Generally I see a move to a hybrid approach, visualisations being served from both on prem and in the cloud, with on prem servers playing a critical role when go wrong, your internet connection goes down, cloud infrastructure has issues, things out of your control. A hybrid approach gives you the ability to leverage the best of both worlds high availability and redundancy, local backups and data storage. Another challenge is skill set generally traditional Scada implementation is done on prem with traditional hardware. There is a new waive of engineers that are cloud ready, but you might find that it is a specialised skill that not all integrators have been exposed to yet.

One common concern with cloud-based SCADA systems is cybersecurity, as internet connectivity introduces potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, reliance on internet connectivity can lead to disruptions due to network outages or latency issues, emphasizing the need for a reliable internet service provider and backup communication channels. Moreover, subscription-based pricing models may result in ongoing operational expenses that exceed the initial cost of on-premises solutions.

Look at the fine print… What are you paying for? How many Tags/Data Points? How many clients/users can you have? How long is the contract term? What does support look like? How much resources do you need? Does the visualisation allow for outside use cases? Is it premade widgets will they work for your system? Can you create your own? Can you access the data once it’s in the cloud? Does the system offer authentication as part of your overall strategy i.e connect to your AD infrastructure? Some questions to ask…

Tips for choosing cloud-based SCADA – Assess the security measures and compliance certifications of the provider Evaluate the connectivity options and support for legacy systems Consider the ease of integration with existing processes and data analytics tools Look for customisability and user-friendly interfaces for seamless operation Benefits include – Scalability to adjust to varying data loads and user numbers Reduced upfront costs with pay-as-you-go pricing models Enhanced data accessibility for remote monitoring and control Challenges involve – Ensuring data security and privacy in the cloud environment Managing potential latency issues for real-time control systems

Cloud-based SCADA solutions offer scalability, cost-efficiency, and remote accessibility for industrial operations. However, challenges such as network reliability and data privacy must be addressed. To maximize benefits, prioritize security, assess scalability, and ensure compliance.

Best tips are the answers to the following questions. What is the use case (time criticality)? What protocols are in use? Do we have a robust network connectivity with ultra -high availability? Do you have a SCADA solution that can be deployed in cloud? (Does OEM support?) What are the Warranty and support conditions of the SCADA OEM? What are the Security Risks?

First, set aside all considerations of features offered by different SCADA vendors and their offerings. Create a list of the minimal requirements you need. In round 1, evaluate all available products based solely on these requirements. Do not consider additional benefits or commercials at this stage. From round 1, narrow down your choices to 3-5 products that best fit your current project needs. In round 2, assess the additional features and benefits of these shortlisted products, compare pricing, and then make a final decision on which product to select. Failure to follow this process may result in choosing a product based on superficial features.

Cloud based solution can be enticing but in the world of increasing security incidents, we need a due care before exposing our infrastructure to third parties. A due diligence and through risk assessment shall be done before thinking of cloud.

Many are unaware, but SCADA systems can function as cloud or web servers for your dashboards. If your SCADA includes an integrated web server, the same PC can host your web application, accessible over the internet. This setup offers several notable advantages in certain situations. It's essential to ensure that the SCADA system is designed with this use case in mind. Cybersecurity concerns must be addressed, and it's prudent to implement a basic incremental backup system for added data protection.

These systems would rely heavily on internet infrastructure for communication between field devices, edge devices, cloud servers, and end-users. Any disruptions, bottlenecks, or vulnerabilities in the underlying internet infrastructure could impact the reliability, performance, and security of SCADA communications, potentially leading to operational disruptions or cyber incidents.

Hybrid Deployments: Consider hybrid SCADA architectures that combine cloud and on-premises components to balance benefits and address specific challenges. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement robust backup and disaster recovery plans to mitigate risks associated with cloud-based deployments. Training and Support: Ensure that users receive adequate training and ongoing support to maximize the benefits of cloud-based SCADA solutions.

In addition to the above considerations, organizations should also evaluate the potential impact of regulatory compliance requirements on their cloud-based SCADA deployment. Depending on the industry and geographic location, there may be specific regulations governing data privacy, security, and residency that must be adhered to.