Operational Technology

PLC

Programmable Logic Controller - optimized for single-machine, basic logic, and discrete operations

PAC

Programmable Automation Controller - offer higher processing power and flexibility, acting as a hybrid between a PLC and a standard PC

RTU

Remote Terminal Unit - built for remote monitoring over large geographic areas, such as an oil pipeline or water tower, excelling in harsh environments and long-distance communication.

BMS

Battery Management System - the centralized platform used to monitor, control, and optimize a facility's electromechanical and environmental services

TCP

Transmission Protocol - It forms the backbone of operational technology (OT) communications, allowing supervisory control stations to talk directly to PLCs, RTUs, and smart sensors

Field Controller

The devices that consolidate inputs and outputs as well as take the instructions from the operators to make changes in the field. In the field or remotely, controllers can be programmed or updated. These devices were designed as if they were in a “trusted” (the network map should show information about the trusted vs. un-trusted environments) environment. Therefore, when given a command, they obey or respond. Most do not authenticate to make sure they are receiving commands from a specific source.

Field Device

the instruments and sensors that measure process parameters and the actuators that control the process. This is the interface between the ICS and the physical process, be it the mixing of chemicals, the management of trains, or measuring pressures in a gas pipeline.

HMI

Human Machine Interface - The user interface in a manufacturing or process control system. It provides a graphics-based visualization of an industrial control and monitoring system. Previously called an "MMI" (man machine interface), an HMI typically resides on a computer that communicates with a specialized computer in the plant such as a programmable automation controller (PAC), programmable logic controller (PLC) or remote terminal unit (RTU). The HMI generally comes in two forms: either a touch panel or software-based application that is loaded on a personal computer, workstation, tablet, or smart phone.

ICS

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are critical to the opeMration of the nation’s infrastructure from the power grid to water distribution.

MODBUS

a foundational, open-source industrial communication protocol developed in 1979. Used for simple, localized factory automation.

DNP3

Distributed Network Protocol 3 - Sa robust set of communications protocols used primarily in SCADA systems

SCADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition - It is an Industrial Control System (ICS) that combines software and hardware to monitor, gather, and control data from industrial processes and critical infrastructure over large geographical areas