SCADA & Beyond with Alana

Alana Murray

Plain-language Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems education from 35+ years in the field. Weekly problem-focused episodes teaching structures, trends, and practical approaches for OT/ICS professionals at all career stages.

scadaandbeyond.substack.com

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8 episodes
Avg 13 min
English

Episodes 8

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June 21 · 13 min
PLC vs DCS vs SCADA
Are you uncertain about the appropriate use of PLCs, DCS, or SCADA systems? After 36 years in industrial controls, this is the most common question I get. The boundaries between these systems are blurring in 2026, and new factors like edge computing, AI integration, and cybersecurity are completely reshaping the decision landscape. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe
S1 · E7
May 14 · 13 min
ISA/IEC 62443: Cybersecurity Best Practices for the Real World
We're going to cover a lot of ground today. We'll start with what 62443 actually is, break down the standard's structure with real examples, look at the major 2024 updates, explore practical implications for your facility, and finish with concrete next steps you can implement immediately. This isn't going to be a theoretical discussion; everything we cover today comes from real-world implementation experience. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe
S1 · E5
April 9 · 12 min
Why Your Industrial Control System Is Broken
So today I want to talk about the three things that slowly turn a decent control system into one that’s a nightmare to live with. Configuration. Architecture. And change. These three things, on their own or working together, are behind most of the dysfunction I’ve seen in ICS environments. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe
S1 · E5
March 13 · 14 min
Your Building Has a Brain: Here's How It Works
The building you're in has a brain, but most people who work in or around it don't know that. Until now. In this first episode of my BAS series, I'm breaking down exactly what a Building Automation System is, how it's structured, what it controls, and what all those confusing acronyms, BAS, BMS, DDC, EMS, actually mean. This is the perfect place to start if you work in facilities, controls, or maintenance, or if you're just starting out in the industry. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe
March 6 · 14 min
Why OPC UA Is the Industrial Protocol You Can't Ignore in 2026
With 45 million units installed worldwide, OPC UA is poised to revolutionize industrial automation in 2026. If you continue to rely on Modbus, EtherNet/IP, or other legacy protocols, this podcast will show you why it's time to upgrade. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe
S1 · E3
February 20 · 13 min
FOUNDATION Fieldbus
Whether you're new to fieldbus or you've been wiring panels for years and want to understand what this protocol is really doing under the hood, this one's for you. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe
S1 · E2
February 13 · 14 min
Modbus TCP vs Ethernet IP.
After 35 years in industrial controls, I've seen engineers make costly protocol decisions based on one simple misconception: "They're both Ethernet, so what's the difference?" The truth is, choosing between Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP can make or break your project. In this practical guide, I'll walk you through the real-world differences that matter for your industrial automation projects, from architecture and security to total cost of ownership. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe
S1 · E1
February 9 · 11 min
Modbus RTU Fundamentals
I break down everything you need to know about RTU for real-world troubleshooting and installation. Get full access to SCADA & Beyond with Alana at scadaandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe

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