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SCADA & Beyond with Alana

Alana Murray 8 Episodes Jun 21, 2026

A podcast that explains operational technology and industrial control systems in plain language, drawing on over 35 years of field experience. Each weekly episode focuses on a specific problem, covering structures, trends, and practical strategies for OT/ICS professionals at every career stage. Hosted by Alana Murray.

Episodes

PLC vs DCS vs SCADA Jun 21, 2026 836 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.sub

ISA/IEC 62443: Cybersecurity Best Practices for the Real World May 14, 2026 799 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 implementatio

Why Your Industrial Control System Is Broken Apr 9, 2026 772 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

Your Building Has a Brain: Here's How It Works Mar 13, 2026 866 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 maint

Why OPC UA Is the Industrial Protocol You Can't Ignore in 2026 Mar 6, 2026 894 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

FOUNDATION Fieldbus Feb 20, 2026 788 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

Modbus TCP vs Ethernet IP. Feb 13, 2026 879 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 arc

Modbus RTU Fundamentals Feb 9, 2026 687 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

SCADA & Beyond with Alana

Episodes

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