OT Glossary

Common Industrial Protocol

A family of protocols including EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet. CIP provides a common language for devices (from various vendors) to share data and commands in an industrial network, but is most popular with Rockwell/Allen Bradley devices.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
A U.S. government agency responsible for cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and emergency communications. In the ICS world, CISA (which includes what used to be ICS-CERT) provides alerts, advisories, and support for protecting critical infrastructure control systems.

A fundamental concept in process control where a sensor, controller, and actuator work together to regulate a physical process. In a closed-loop system, a sensor measures a process variable (like temperature), the controller compares it to a desired setpoint, and if there’s a difference it sends a command to an actuator to correct it. This loop continuously “feeds back” so the process stays on target. (Example: a thermostat (sensor/controller) measuring room temperature and turning a heater (actuator) on/off to maintain the set temperature.)

A system that manages, commands, or regulates the behavior of other devices or systems using control loops (with sensor, actuator, and controller). An industrial control system controls an industrial-scale process.

Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure

UK government organization kind of like the US CISA organization, focused on the security of national infrastructure.

Cyber-physical systems

Integrated systems that have both computational (cyber) and physical components, tightly interconnected. An industrial robot, a smart grid, or an autonomous vehicle are examples of CPS: they involve sensors and actuators interacting with the physical world, guided by software and networking. ICS and OT systems are prime examples of CPS, where a cyber attack can have real-world kinetic impact.