SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) is a software application category used to manage and control industrial processes. This involves collecting real-time data from remote locations to monitor and adjust equipment and conditions. By providing data-driven insights, SCADA enables organizations to make informed decisions about their industrial processes.

As one of the most widely used industrial control systems, SCADA is applicable to a broad range of industrial processes. SCADA systems comprise both hardware and software components. The hardware collects data and feeds it into field controller systems, which transmit the data to other systems for processing and presentation on a human-machine interface (HMI). SCADA systems also maintain event logs to report on process status and issues. In hazardous situations, SCADA applications can issue alarms to alert operators.