What is OPC UA

What is OPC UA

Introducing OPC Classic

Before the OPC Classic

Communicating and sharing data between devices with different platforms is very difficult. It requires a unique program creation.

After the OPC Classic waw launched

Interconnection is possible with a unified standard without the need to create a proprietary program. Enables concentration on what one wishes to do.

OPC (OPC Classic) is a process communication standard developed by Honeywell, Siemens, and Microsoft in 1996 to transmit and receive data between different manufacturers and devices. It is based on Microsoft's COM/DCOM technology and is designed to work in a Windows system. The specification was originally conceived for interoperability in processor control in plants and factories.

Emergence of OPC UA

Growing market demand (2000s~)

  • Advanced application functionality
  • Overall optimization
  • Multiplexing capabilities
  • Usage scenarios expansion (from the automation field to other industry categories)
  • Increased security requirements for constantly advancing threats
  • Dilemma of only working in Windows environment

Demand for OPC UA

Because of two critical incident occurrences and the IoT shift.

In 2010, a cyber attack by "Stuxnet" occurred on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Overview: Targeting PLCs manufactured by Siemens AG
Damage: 8,400 centrifuges were hijacked, rendering them all inoperable

In 2016, a "Crash Override" cyberattack occired on a Ukrainian power facility.

Overview: Malware caused a major power outage.
Damage: Tens of thousands of residents experienced a blackout lasting about an hour and 15 minutes in the northern part of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.