Documentation & Resources
Technical documentation and vendor resources for our automation solutions
Quick Access
SCADA Platforms
Ignition SCADA
by Inductive Automation
Unlimited industrial application platform with built-in SCADA, MES, and IIoT capabilities.
VTScada
by Trihedral
All-in-one HMI, SCADA, and IoT software for industrial automation and control systems.
PLC Systems & Controllers
Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation
ControlLogix, CompactLogix, MicroLogix
Industry-leading PLCs, PACs, and industrial automation solutions for oil and gas applications.
CODESYS
IEC 61131-3 Programming
Leading manufacturer-independent IEC 61131-3 automation software for industrial control systems.
Opto 22
groov EPIC & PAC Systems
Edge programmable industrial controllers and I/O systems for automation and IIoT applications.
Hardware & I/O Systems
AutomationDirect
PLCs, HMIs, Drives & More
Value-priced industrial automation equipment including PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, and pneumatics.
Industrial Protocols & Networking
Modbus Protocol
RTU, ASCII, TCP/IP
Industry-standard serial and Ethernet communication protocol for PLCs, RTUs, and SCADA systems.
EtherNet/IP
by ODVA
Industrial Ethernet protocol used by Allen-Bradley and other major automation vendors.
OPC Unified Architecture
OPC Foundation
Platform-independent industrial interoperability standard for secure and reliable data exchange.
Programming & Development Tools
Studio 5000 Logix Designer
Rockwell Automation
Integrated development environment for programming Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs.
TIA Portal
Siemens
Totally Integrated Automation Portal for programming Siemens S7-1200/1500 PLCs and HMI systems.
FactoryTalk View
Rockwell Automation
HMI/SCADA software for visualization and control of industrial automation systems.
Industrial Cybersecurity & ICS Security
CISA ICS-CERT
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Government resource for industrial control systems cybersecurity, threat alerts, and incident response.
ISA/IEC 62443
Industrial Automation Security Standards
International standard for cybersecurity of industrial automation and control systems (IACS).
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Framework for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity with identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover functions.
Case Study: Stuxnet (2010)
Stuxnet was a highly sophisticated malware attack targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, specifically Siemens Step7 software and S7-300/400 PLCs. It marked the first known cyber weapon designed to cause physical damage to industrial infrastructure.
Attack Vector & Impact:
- Delivery: USB drives exploiting Windows zero-day vulnerabilities
- Target: Siemens S7-300/400 PLCs controlling uranium enrichment centrifuges
- Method: Modified PLC code to alter centrifuge speeds while displaying normal operation to operators
- Result: Physical destruction of approximately 1,000 centrifuges through mechanical stress
Lessons Learned & Defense Strategies:
- Air-Gap Myth: Physical isolation is insufficient - implement strict USB/removable media policies
- Network Segmentation: Separate OT (Operational Technology) from IT networks with firewalls and DMZs
- Anomaly Detection: Monitor for unusual PLC behavior, unexpected code changes, and abnormal process values
- Patch Management: Keep firmware updated while testing in non-production environments first
- Code Signing: Verify integrity of PLC programs and SCADA configurations
- Defense in Depth: Multiple layers of security controls (physical, network, application, data)
📖 Further Reading: Countdown to Zero Day (Wired) | SANS Stuxnet Analysis