ICS Overview (ICS410.01) 123
Questions and Correct Answers, 100%
Correct. 2024/2025.
What is a control system?
Device or set of devices that manages, commands, directs, or regulates the behavior of other devices
or systems. Influences the real world, and bridges the cyber-to-physical worlds
Name and describe the typical components of a control system.
Controller: Contains the logic that affects other system components. Takes inputs from sensors and
HMI, outputs to actuators.
Actuator: the real world component that is manipulated by the controller
Controlled Process: The process that occurs based on the actuators input. Output is read by sensors.
Sensors: Sensors that read data and provide it as input to the controller
Human - Machine Interface: Could be a physical point or a remote access point; could directly
manipulate controller, actuators, and sensors. think like a management dashboard where you could
monitor, but also alter information.
Identify and describe the 4 main ICS process models, and provide an example of each.
Discrete: fixed number of inputs and outputs. Ex: Program
Batch: inputs are mixed as a unit or grouping. Ex: Chemical
Continuous: flow of materials that doesn't stop. Ex: Energy/water
Hybrid: combination of discrete and continuous, hierarchical. Ex: Industrial.
What is PERA?
Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture. Architecture for ICS networks.
Describe the levels of PERA.
0: sensors and actuators
1: controllers
2: supervisory component
3: utilizes 0, 1, and 2 in some time of network
4: Business/Enterprise/IT world components
Describe the grouping levels of PERA.
0-2: Individual processes
3: Plant operations
4: Business planning
What does the Process Engineer do?
Designs the systems and processes used in the control environment. "Designs and optimizes"
What does the Field Technician do?
, Maintains and repairs field devices
What does the Programmer do?
Implements the individual steps of the process as code and deploys the code onto the controllers.
"Writes control logic"
What does the Operator do?
Works in the operations center, remotely managing and controlling the process. "Manages and
controls process"
What are the 4 typical roles in an ICS organization?
Owner/Operators, Vendors, Integrators, and Government
Describe the role and responsibility of the Owner/Operator within an ICS organization.
The individuals or organization that purchase and use the system. Works with vendors and
integrators to build systems that meet government regulations. Primarily responsible for ensuring
security is built into their system.
Describe the role and responsibility of the Vendor within an ICS organization.
Design and build components (hardware and software) used in control systems. Starting to adopt
security into development lifecycles, but it's slow-going
Describe the role and responsibility of the Integrator within an ICS organization.
Select, create, and configure control systems. Provides training and support, ongoing control,
integration, and automation collaboration. Design, configure, test, train, and refresh. Typically
provided by vendors or partners of vendors.
Describe the role and responsibility of the Government within an ICS organization.
Responsible for creating and enforcing regulations regarding the safe and continued operation of
critical facilities.
What are a few industries reliant on ICS?
Factory automation, process industry, energy sector, and service industry.
What does it mean for a PLC to be "physically hardened" real-time computers?
Tested against extreme physical conditions such as high/low temperatures, physical vibrations,
electromagnetic interference, etc. PLCs MUST operate in real-time (utilizing inputs to provide some
type of output) for security reasons.
What is an I/O Image Table?
The set of inputs utilized by a PLC.
What is a PLC?
Programmable Logic Controller. The brains of a process. Controls industrial equipment and
processes. Logic is executed based on a components state.
What is an RTU?
Questions and Correct Answers, 100%
Correct. 2024/2025.
What is a control system?
Device or set of devices that manages, commands, directs, or regulates the behavior of other devices
or systems. Influences the real world, and bridges the cyber-to-physical worlds
Name and describe the typical components of a control system.
Controller: Contains the logic that affects other system components. Takes inputs from sensors and
HMI, outputs to actuators.
Actuator: the real world component that is manipulated by the controller
Controlled Process: The process that occurs based on the actuators input. Output is read by sensors.
Sensors: Sensors that read data and provide it as input to the controller
Human - Machine Interface: Could be a physical point or a remote access point; could directly
manipulate controller, actuators, and sensors. think like a management dashboard where you could
monitor, but also alter information.
Identify and describe the 4 main ICS process models, and provide an example of each.
Discrete: fixed number of inputs and outputs. Ex: Program
Batch: inputs are mixed as a unit or grouping. Ex: Chemical
Continuous: flow of materials that doesn't stop. Ex: Energy/water
Hybrid: combination of discrete and continuous, hierarchical. Ex: Industrial.
What is PERA?
Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture. Architecture for ICS networks.
Describe the levels of PERA.
0: sensors and actuators
1: controllers
2: supervisory component
3: utilizes 0, 1, and 2 in some time of network
4: Business/Enterprise/IT world components
Describe the grouping levels of PERA.
0-2: Individual processes
3: Plant operations
4: Business planning
What does the Process Engineer do?
Designs the systems and processes used in the control environment. "Designs and optimizes"
What does the Field Technician do?
, Maintains and repairs field devices
What does the Programmer do?
Implements the individual steps of the process as code and deploys the code onto the controllers.
"Writes control logic"
What does the Operator do?
Works in the operations center, remotely managing and controlling the process. "Manages and
controls process"
What are the 4 typical roles in an ICS organization?
Owner/Operators, Vendors, Integrators, and Government
Describe the role and responsibility of the Owner/Operator within an ICS organization.
The individuals or organization that purchase and use the system. Works with vendors and
integrators to build systems that meet government regulations. Primarily responsible for ensuring
security is built into their system.
Describe the role and responsibility of the Vendor within an ICS organization.
Design and build components (hardware and software) used in control systems. Starting to adopt
security into development lifecycles, but it's slow-going
Describe the role and responsibility of the Integrator within an ICS organization.
Select, create, and configure control systems. Provides training and support, ongoing control,
integration, and automation collaboration. Design, configure, test, train, and refresh. Typically
provided by vendors or partners of vendors.
Describe the role and responsibility of the Government within an ICS organization.
Responsible for creating and enforcing regulations regarding the safe and continued operation of
critical facilities.
What are a few industries reliant on ICS?
Factory automation, process industry, energy sector, and service industry.
What does it mean for a PLC to be "physically hardened" real-time computers?
Tested against extreme physical conditions such as high/low temperatures, physical vibrations,
electromagnetic interference, etc. PLCs MUST operate in real-time (utilizing inputs to provide some
type of output) for security reasons.
What is an I/O Image Table?
The set of inputs utilized by a PLC.
What is a PLC?
Programmable Logic Controller. The brains of a process. Controls industrial equipment and
processes. Logic is executed based on a components state.
What is an RTU?
