ICS Topology, Mediums, Interconnectivity

Question 1

What are 6 types of Communications Media used today?

Answer 1

Licensed Radio
Spread Spectrum Radio
Cellular
Land Line
Microwave
Satellite

Question 2

This Comm Media uses VHF & UHF and would cost around $60-$460 to license and can “talk” farther than Spread Spectrum Radios.

Answer 2

Licensed Radios

Question 3

A technology developed by the U.S. military 50 years ago where the basic operation is to spread data across a wide frequency band and reduce the impact of interference to the transmission rather than utilizing a specific narrow band channel.

Answer 3

Spread Spectrum Radio

Question 4

Some of the Advantages & Disadvantages of this technology are:

Infrastructure is already in place and maintained by provider
Technicians can access services with personal devices
Network maintained by carrier

Possible Latency Issues
At the mercy of service provided in case of reduced connectivity or outages
Upfront cost of hardware
Reoccurring monthly costs
Limited coverage in certain areas
Call drop problems

Answer 4

Cellular

Question 5

This medium can be copper, coaxial, or fiber. This is a stand alone medium, quite capable of taking care of taking care of all your data needs, though using it conjunction with other mediums like radio is probably a more realistic approach simply because of the location of remote sites in relation to actual land lines.

Answer 5

Land Line

Question 6

This type of technology uses point to point communications because their small wavelength allows conveniently-sized antennas to direct them in narrow beams, which can be directed at the receiving antenna.

Answer 6

Micro-Wave

Question 7

This type of communications technology offers the ability to communicate to remote sites that may have been unreachable in the past with other mediums, at the cost of installing dishes at each remote site. This type of communications are sold through data plans.

Answer 7

Satellite

Question 8

This communication platform ability allow two devices to communicate with each other using the same properties.

Answer 8

Protocols

Question 9

What six areas are protocols broken into?

Answer 9

Process Automation
Industrial Control System
Building Automation
Power System Automation
Automatic Meter Reading
Automobile/Vehicle

Question 10

What several factors currently contribute to the increasing risk to control systems?

Answer 10

Adoption of standardized protocols and technologies with known vulnerabilities

Connectivity of the control systems to other networks

Insecure and rogue connections

Widespread availability of technical information about control systems