SCADA Learning Resources: Books, Standards, Protocol Specifications and Organisations
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SCADA engineering combines several disciplines: control systems, telecommunications, databases, human-machine interface design, alarm management and cybersecurity. The resources below are grouped by those topics. They are established references, not an exhaustive list. Check publishers for current editions.
SCADA fundamentals
| Book | Author(s) | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition | Stuart A. Boyer (ISA) | Long-standing introduction to SCADA concepts, communications and system design |
| Practical SCADA for Industry | David Bailey and Edwin Wright (Newnes) | Practical coverage of SCADA hardware, software, communications and implementation |
| Designing SCADA Application Software | Stuart G. McCrady (Elsevier) | Focus on the design of SCADA application software and databases |
Telemetry protocols
| Book | Author(s) | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Modern SCADA Protocols: DNP3, 60870.5 and Related Systems | Gordon Clarke, Deon Reynders and Edwin Wright (Newnes) | Detailed explanation of DNP3 and IEC 60870-5, still relevant for utilities |
Protocol specifications themselves are published by the DNP Users Group (DNP3, also IEEE 1815), IEC (IEC 60870-5, IEC 61850), the Modbus Organization and the OPC Foundation.
HMI design and alarm management
| Book | Author(s) | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| The High Performance HMI Handbook | Bill Hollifield, Dana Oliver, Ian Nimmo and Eddie Habibi | The best-known guide to high-performance HMI principles: grey backgrounds, meaningful colour, display hierarchy |
| Alarm Management: A Comprehensive Guide | Bill Hollifield and Eddie Habibi (ISA) | Practical guide to alarm philosophy, rationalisation and performance, aligned with ISA-18.2 |
Related standards: ISA-101 (HMIs for process automation), ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682 (alarm management) and EEMUA 191 (alarm systems guide, widely used in Europe).
ICS and SCADA security
| Book | Author(s) | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Network Security | Eric D. Knapp and Joel Thomas Langill (Syngress) | Comprehensive treatment of industrial network architecture, protocols and security controls |
| Cybersecurity for SCADA Systems | William T. Shaw (PennWell) | SCADA-specific security risks and protection strategies |
| Securing SCADA Systems | Ronald L. Krutz (Wiley) | Overview of SCADA vulnerabilities and security approaches |
Free authoritative guidance:
- NIST SP 800-82, Guide to Operational Technology (OT) Security: widely used, freely available.
- CISA ICS advisories and recommended practices.
- ISA/IEC 62443 series (purchased from ISA or IEC). See ISA/IEC 62443.
Standards overview
| Standard | Area |
|---|---|
| IEC 60870-5-101/104 | Telecontrol protocols (common in European utilities) |
| IEEE 1815 (DNP3) | Utility and pipeline telemetry (common in North America and elsewhere) |
| IEC 61850 | Substation and power utility automation |
| OPC UA (IEC 62541) | Platform-independent industrial data exchange |
| ISA-101 | HMI design |
| ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682 | Alarm management |
| ISA/IEC 62443 | Industrial automation security |
| ISA-95 / IEC 62264 | Enterprise–control integration (SCADA to MES/ERP). See ISA-95 |
See also SCADA Industry Standards and Guidelines.
Organisations
- International Society of Automation (ISA) – standards (ISA-18.2, ISA-101, ISA/IEC 62443), training and conferences.
- DNP Users Group – DNP3 documentation and conformance testing.
- OPC Foundation – OPC UA specifications.
- EEMUA (Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association) – alarm management and HMI guidance.
- CISA and national CERTs – security advisories and guidance.
Practising SCADA skills
- Several SCADA/HMI vendors offer free trial or developer editions of their software; check current licensing terms.
- Open-source SCADA projects exist and are useful for learning concepts, though they differ from commercial platforms used in industry.
- Build a small lab: a PLC or a protocol simulator (Modbus or DNP3 slave simulators are widely available), a SCADA package and a historian. Practise tags, alarms, trends and displays.
Frequently asked questions
Which book should I read first about SCADA?
Stuart Boyer’s SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Bailey and Wright’s Practical SCADA for Industry are good starting points. Then read The High Performance HMI Handbook and Alarm Management to learn how to design systems operators can use well.
Is NIST SP 800-82 free?
Yes. NIST publications are freely available from the NIST website. SP 800-82 provides guidance on securing operational technology, including SCADA systems.
Related tutorials
Before you apply this in a plant: this article is for education. Always check the current edition of the relevant standards, the manufacturer's documentation for your exact product and version, and your site's procedures. Safety-related work needs qualified personnel. See our editorial policy.