Practical_modern_SCADA_protocols_-_dnp3,_60870-5_and_Related_Systems

UCA protocol 373
An excellent reference for security issues (not specific to SCADA) can be found in
‘Practices for securing Critical Information Assets’, published by the Critical Infrastructure
Assurance Office. (http://www.iwar.org.uk/cip/resources/prac.pdf) contains useful
reference material including security audit procedures.
14.4 Summary
The preceding discussion introduces the three foundations of UCA technology: a uniform
communications infrastructure, a uniform application interface, and a uniform data
model. These three elements combine to accomplish UCA’s goal of vendor and platform
independence.
UCA technology has self-configuration functions built in. This is a key advantage
of UCA over other integration options. New UCA devices automatically integrate themselves
into the UCA system when they are connected to the network.
The end result of implementing UCA is to eliminate much of the effort currently
required to integrate utility systems. This results in a true productivity increase for all
parties, and equally benefits utilities, vendors, integrators and consultants. Eliminating
effort leads to much more open access to information, reduces costs for everyone, and
allows everyone to focus on adding value to the information.
Reference
‘UCATM: From Inception to International Standard’ a paper presented at IMTECH 2000,
Seattle, April 2000, by Eric Von Sacken, Manager of Systems Development, Colorado
Springs Utilities, Colorado Springs, CO and W. Fredrick Riddle, Senior Consultant, EMA
Inc. St. Paul, MN.