SCADA System Data Loss and Mitigation Strategies
Remote pumping stations frequently experience SCADA data loss due to unreliable communication links. Traditional polling architectures struggle to recover data during outages.
Data loss in SCADA systems, particularly from remote pumping stations, is a persistent issue in telemetry for water utilities. HMS Networks identifies that traditional polling architectures often fail to capture data when cellular or radio links are interrupted, leading to permanent data gaps.
The core problem lies in the system's design. Remote sites depend on communication paths, such as public cellular networks or radio links, which are susceptible to failures and congestion. When these links go down, which can occur due to equipment malfunction or network issues lasting hours or weeks, data is lost if not stored locally.
HMS Networks proposes a solution involving local data buffering at field gateways or RTUs. This buffered data can then be transmitted in the correct sequence once connectivity is restored. Additionally, implementing a report-by-exception model using MQTT and the Sparkplug B specification can reduce bandwidth usage and ensure data integrity in unreliable networks.
Selecting appropriate protocols, such as OPC UA for wired connections and MQTT/Sparkplug B for wireless, along with using protocol converters to integrate existing PLC systems, can enhance reliability. Security considerations aligned with IEC 62443 and the NIS2 Directive are also crucial for protecting these remote systems.