Practice Test Geeks(ICS) Industrial Control Systems Security Certification Practice Test
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SCADA & Industrial Protocol Security Flashcards

7 cards from real ICS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 SCADA & Industrial Protocol Security flashcards as text

  1. What does SCADA stand for in the context of industrial control systems?

    Answer: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition

    SCADA stands for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition, referring to systems that monitor and control industrial infrastructure.

  2. Which protocol is most widely used in SCADA systems for communication between master stations and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), particularly in electric utilities?

    Answer: DNP3

    DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol 3) was designed specifically for SCADA communication with RTUs, especially in the electric power and water industries, and supports time-stamped data.

  3. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is best described as:

    Answer: An industrial digital computer used to automate electromechanical processes

    A PLC is a ruggedized industrial computer that continuously monitors inputs from sensors and executes programmed logic to control outputs such as motors and valves.

  4. Which Modbus function code is used to read the values of holding registers?

    Answer: Function Code 03

    Modbus Function Code 03 (Read Holding Registers) is used to read the contents of a contiguous block of holding registers in a remote device.

  5. What is a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in an ICS environment?

    Answer: A dashboard providing operators a visual representation of industrial processes for monitoring and control

    An HMI is the operator interface that displays process data graphically, allowing operators to monitor system status and issue control commands.

  6. What is the primary security concern with legacy SCADA systems?

    Answer: They often lack built-in encryption and authentication because they were designed before cybersecurity was a concern

    Legacy SCADA systems were designed decades ago with availability and reliability as priorities, predating modern cybersecurity practices, so they typically transmit data in plaintext with no authentication.

  7. Which industrial protocol is the standard for building automation systems, including HVAC, lighting, and access control?

    Answer: BACnet

    BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks) is an ASHRAE/ISO/ANSI standard specifically developed for building automation and control systems.