Cybersecurity of MicroSCADA Pro for Power Stations

Abstract

The main goal of this thesis is to examine different cybersecurity features of ABB’s product family called MicroSCADA Pro validation of cybersecurity standards. MicroSCADA Pro products are used in applications for automation and control for industry, transportation, infrastructure, electricity and renewable utilities. SCADA (Supervisory control and data acquisition) is a control system that is notably used in power sector automation. For computer-based systems, cybersecurity means the protection against unauthorized physical or digital access from cybersecurity threats. Protection must cover all the hardware, software and data. The research subjects are power stations that are facilities for electric power generation.

The review was based on open literature, standards and other publications. These sources were reviewed and analyzed.

The main results of this thesis were tables about MicroSCADA Pro products’ compliances with selected cybersecurity standard. IEC 62443-3-3 was selected as a main cybersecurity standard. It was most requested by the customers and becoming the main automation standard globally. It is also compatible for product development. The lower security levels of IEC62443-3-3 were reached and there were only few security gaps with higher security levels. These results give direction and motivation on how to continue the development of the cybersecurity of MicroSCADA Pro products in the future.