# Detecting Attacks On Scada Systems

> Use when this skill covers detecting cyber attacks targeting Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems including man-in-the-middle attacks on industrial protocols, unauthorized command injection into PLCs, HMI compromise, historian data manipulation, and denial-of-service against control system communications. It leverages OT-specific intrusion detection systems, industrial protocol anomaly detection, and process data analytics to identify attacks that traditional IT security t...

- Skill: `oyi77/detecting-attacks-on-scada-systems` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add oyi77/detecting-attacks-on-scada-systems`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/oyi77/detecting-attacks-on-scada-systems/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Data & Analytics
- License: Apache-2.0
- Author: oyi77 (https://skillmd.com/u/oyi77)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/oyi77/detecting-attacks-on-scada-systems

---


# Detecting Attacks On Scada Systems

## Overview

Cybersecurity skill for detecting attacks on scada systems. Follows industry best practices and security standards.

## When to Use
**Trigger phrases:**
- "detecting attacks on scada systems"
- "This skill covers detecting cyber attacks targeting Supervisory Control and Data"


- When deploying intrusion detection capabilities in a SCADA environment for the first time
- When investigating suspected cyber attacks against industrial control systems
- When building detection rules for OT-specific attack patterns (Stuxnet, TRITON, Industroyer)
- When integrating OT network monitoring with an enterprise SOC for unified threat visibility
- When responding to alerts from OT security monitoring tools (Dragos, Nozomi, Claroty)

**Do not use** for detecting attacks on IT-only networks without SCADA/ICS components, for building generic network IDS rules (see building-detection-rules-with-sigma), or for incident response procedures after an attack is confirmed (see performing-ot-incident-response).


## When NOT to Use

- When you lack proper authorization for testing
- For production systems without change management
- When the task requires legal or compliance expertise beyond technical scope


## Prerequisites

- Passive network monitoring sensors deployed on SPAN/TAP ports at OT network boundaries
- OT intrusion detection system (Dragos Platform, Nozomi Guardian, Claroty xDome, or Suricata with OT rulesets)
- Understanding of industrial protocols in use (Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, EtherNet/IP, S7comm)
- Baseline of normal SCADA communication patterns (polling intervals, function codes, register ranges)
- Access to process historian data for physical process anomaly correlation

## Workflow

```python
# Example: IOC detection
import re

IOC_PATTERNS = {
    "ip": r"\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b",
    "domain": r"\b[a-z0-9-]+\.[a-z]{2,}\b",
    "hash_md5": r"\b[a-f0-9]{32}\b",
    "hash_sha256": r"\b[a-f0-9]{64}\b",
}

def extract_iocs(text: str) -> dict:
    return {k: re.findall(v, text) for k, v in IOC_PATTERNS.items()}
```

1. **Define Detection Scope** — Identify the specific attacks on scada systems techniques or indicators to hunt. Map to MITRE ATT&CK tactics/techniques where applicable.
2. **Collect Baseline Data** — Gather historical logs and establish normal behavior patterns for attacks on scada systems.
3. **Build Detection Queries** — Write detection rules, Sigma rules, or SIEM queries targeting attacks on scada systems indicators.
4. **Execute Hunts** — Run queries against the collected data, starting with broad filters and narrowing down.
5. **Triage Results** — Investigate alerts, filter false positives, and validate findings against known-good behavior.
6. **Document Findings** — Record confirmed detections, IOCs, and affected systems. Update detection rules based on findings.

## Tools

- **SIEM Platform** — Central log aggregation and query execution
- **Sigma Rules** — Vendor-agnostic detection rule format
- **MITRE ATT&CK Navigator** — Technique mapping and coverage analysis


## Process

1. **Reconnaissance** — Gather target information, identify attack surface, enumerate services
1. **Analysis/Exploitation** — Execute the technique, analyze results, document findings
1. **Reporting** — Document IOCs, write findings, provide remediation recommendations

## Verification

- [ ] All attacks on scada systems procedures executed completely and documented
- [ ] Findings validated against multiple data sources
- [ ] False positives identified and filtered
- [ ] Results documented with evidence and timestamps
- [ ] Recommendations provided with risk-based prioritization

## Anti-Rationalization Table

| Rationalization | Reality |
|---|---|
| "We are too small to be targeted" | Automated attacks target everyone. Size does not matter. |
| "Security slows us down" | A breach slows you down 100x more. Build security in from the start. |
| "We will fix it after launch" | Vulnerabilities in production are exploited within hours. Fix before deploy. |