300+ SCADA Protocol Articles & Guides
Deep dives on Modbus, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-101/104, IEC 61850, OPC UA, Profinet, MQTT, IEC 62443, and substation automation — written for practicing engineers.
What Is AMQP 0.9.1? A Complete Guide to the Protocol
AMQP 0.9.1 explained: the RabbitMQ protocol, exchanges, queues, bindings, routing keys, delivery guarantees, and why it remains widely used despite AMQP 1.0.
What Is AMQP 1.0? A Complete Guide to the Protocol
AMQP 1.0 explained: the ISO/IEC 19464 messaging protocol, its peer-to-peer model, nodes, links, delivery guarantees, security, and how it compares to alternatives.
SCADA and ICS: The Difference and How They Fit Together
SCADA and ICS are not the same thing: SCADA is one type of ICS. See how SCADA, DCS, and PLC systems fit inside ICS and OT, per NIST and IEC definitions.
FTP Explained: How File Transfer Protocol Works
How FTP really works: the two-connection model, active vs passive mode, commands, reply codes, and why FTP fails security audits. Plus FTP vs FTPS vs SFTP.
CIP Security Explained: TLS, X.509, and OT Cybersecurity
CIP Security architecture: TLS for TCP 44818, DTLS for UDP 2222, X.509 certificates, device authentication, trust models, EST provisioning, IEC 62443 alignment.
MQTT 5 vs MQTT 3.1.1: Differences, Features & Migration
MQTT 5 vs MQTT 3.1.1 compared: every difference, every new feature, behavioral changes, packet-level changes, and how to decide which version to use.
OPC UA vs OPC DA: The Full Comparison Every Engineer Needs
OPC UA vs OPC DA compared across security, platform, data model, and more. See the full table, key differences explained, and when to use each protocol.
How to Connect a PLC to OPC UA: Full Setup Guide
Connect a PLC to OPC UA three ways: built-in server, gateway software, or hardware bridge. Setup for Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, and Schneider PLCs.
OPC Classic vs OPC UA: Key Differences and Migration Guide
OPC Classic vs OPC UA: compare security, platform support, and data modeling. Plus a practical migration guide with three strategies to fit any situation.
What is SCADA? How It Works, Components & Architecture
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, a system used to monitor, control, and manage industrial processes in real-time.
ICS Cybersecurity: A Practical Guide for Operators, Engineers & IT/OT Staff
A practical ICS cybersecurity guide for operators, engineers, and IT/OT staff. Learn how to protect SCADA, DCS, and PLC systems from real-world cyber threats.
Free OPC UA Client: 6 Tools Compared and Tested
Free OPC UA client tools compared: UaExpert, Prosys, Softing, and open-source options, plus how to fix the certificate errors that block your first connection.
ICS Network Architecture Explained: Purdue Model Guide
Learn how the Purdue Model organizes ICS network architecture and helps secure industrial control systems using layered cybersecurity design.
ISO/IEC 27001 Controls Explained (Annex A Security Controls Guide)
Learn how ISO/IEC 27001 Annex A security controls work. This guide explains the four control domains and how organizations implement them in an ISMS.
ISO/IEC 27001 Standard Overview: What It Is, Requirements, and Certification Guide
Complete ISO/IEC 27001 guide covering ISMS, certification, clauses, Annex A controls, and how it supports cybersecurity and compliance.
SCADA Network Architecture Design Guide for Substations & Industry
Learn how to design a secure and reliable SCADA network architecture for substations and industrial systems with redundancy and cybersecurity best practices.
Port 22 (SSH): What It Is, How to Change and Secure It
Port 22 is the default TCP port for SSH. What runs on it, why SSH uses 22, how to change it, firewall rules, testing commands, and how to secure it.
SCADA Networking: Site-to-Site VPN vs NAT on Private APN Explained
Site-to-site VPN vs NAT on private APN explained in simple terms. Learn why VPNs give reliable SCADA communication and why NAT often causes connection issues.