An industrial control network is the communications fabric linking the devices and systems that monitor or control an industrial process. It is one part of a broader industrial control system (ICS): the ICS is the complete control arrangement, while the network carries communications among its components.
What is an industrial control network?
The term describes the communications environment connecting equipment such as controllers, supervisory systems, and related devices used to observe or control industrial processes. That process might involve manufacturing, handling products, production, distribution, or infrastructure operations.
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NIST defines an industrial control system as “an information system used to control industrial processes such as manufacturing, product handling, production, and distribution or to control infrastructure assets.” The NICCS glossary reproduces this definition and attributes it to NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 4 and NIST SP 800-82. NICCS glossary
“Industrial control network” is a useful way to refer specifically to the communications links within that broader arrangement. It is not the same as the entire ICS, and the wording is an explanatory description of the network’s role rather than a separate glossary definition.
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How is the network different from an ICS?
An ICS is the whole system used to control an industrial process; its network is the part that connects relevant components so they can exchange data and control communications. The ICS umbrella includes supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and configurations that use programmable logic controllers (PLCs). CISA-hosted NSTAC material also describes an ICS as combinations of control components acting together to achieve an industrial objective. NSTAC report hosted by CISA (August 12, 2022)
SCADA is one type of ICS, not another name for every industrial control network. NICCS describes SCADA as a computerized system that gathers and processes data and applies operational controls to geographically dispersed assets over long distances. NICCS glossary
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What components does it connect?
A common way to explain industrial control architecture is by function: equipment interacts with the physical process, controllers operate equipment, supervisory systems oversee machines or processes, and operations-management systems collect or use operational information. CISA’s ICS-CERT Monitor uses the Purdue Reference Model to describe these logical functions. CISA ICS-CERT Monitor, November–December 2016
| Logical level | Typical role or examples |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Physical-process equipment, including sensors and actuators. |
| Level 1 | Controllers, such as PLCs and remote terminal units (RTUs). |
| Level 2 | Supervisory automation for machines or processes. |
| Level 3 | Operations management and historians. |
These are logical functional levels, not a map of where equipment must sit in a plant. Real installations differ by industry, process, vendor, age, and safety requirements; the Purdue model is an explanatory reference, not a universal blueprint.
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Why does the network matter?
Because these communications are associated with observing and controlling physical processes, both availability and correct operation matter. Unauthorized connections or unsafe commands can have operational consequences. CISA recommends understanding normal traffic, keeping an up-to-date inventory of critical assets, and monitoring for suspicious connections between network segments or from outside, configuration changes, and ports or services that are not needed. CISA ICS/OT cybersecurity monitoring considerations
Internet exposure is also a concern. CISA’s Internet Exposure Reduction Guidance, published June 4, 2025, says misconfiguration, default credentials, and outdated software can leave assets discoverable through internet search and discovery tools. The guidance includes ICS, SCADA, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and remote-access technologies among relevant asset classes. CISA Internet Exposure Reduction Guidance
Quick Recap
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What should operators keep in view?
- Maintain an inventory of critical control assets and know which communications are expected.
- Investigate unexpected links between segments or external connections, as well as unexplained configuration changes.
- Identify unneeded ports and services, and apply control-system practices such as defense in depth, patch management, incident response planning, and secure remote access. CISA ICS Recommended Practices
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