SCADA Reference Architecture with 11-Layer Model for Automation

New ISA-112 Standard SCADA Reference Architecture with 11-Layer Model for Automation

2026-03-02 From Manuel Christa | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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With ANSI/ISA-112.00.01-2025, the International Society of Automation (ISA) has published the first part of a comprehensive, vendor-neutral standard for SCADA systems. With eleven layers and a standardized life cycle, system integration and modernization should be massively simplified.

Structured automation: The new 11-layer reference model of the ISA-112 is designed to bring order to complex SCADA architectures and standardize the integration of field devices through to the cloud.(Image: Nano Banana / AI-generated) — Structured automation: The new 11-layer reference model of the ISA-112 is designed to bring order to complex SCADA architectures and standardize the integration of field devices through to the cloud.
(Image: Nano Banana / AI-generated)

SCADA systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) in critical infrastructures (KRITIS) such as water, wastewater, energy or transportation have often grown historically over decades. The result for plant operators and system integrators is often complex architectures that are difficult to maintain. When modernizing, expanding or implementing cybersecurity, this lack of standardization regularly leads to massive cost and time overruns. The new standard is designed to tackle precisely this problem.

Eleven Layers for More Clarity

The recently published Part 1 of ANSI/ISA-112 ("Lifecycle, Diagrams and Terminology") introduces a standardized vocabulary and a structured management lifecycle for SCADA projects for the first time. At the heart of the document is a vendor-neutral reference architecture.

This architecture divides complex SCADA systems into eleven logical layers (levels), from the physical devices in the field to the enterprise management level and cloud connection. This creates a uniform basis for the system design, regardless of which hardware and software suppliers are later used.

The Foundation for IEC 62443

The American ANSI/ISA publication is also highly relevant for the DACH market, which is heavily influenced by IEC and DIN standards. The security aspect in particular stands out: a structured, clearly segmented network and system architecture, as now defined by ISA-112, is the essential prerequisite for being able to successfully implement security concepts over existing systems in accordance with the established ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards.

Standardization Reduces Integration Costs

The standard also offers tangible economic benefits in the project business. Thanks to the standardized terminology and clearly defined system diagrams, specifications and tenders can be formulated more precisely in future. End users, system integrators and component manufacturers will literally be speaking the same language again in future, which will minimize misunderstandings and friction losses.

ANSI/ISA-112.00.01-2025 forms the foundation of a new family of standards. The ISA standardization committees are already working on further parts that will include detailed workflows, industry-specific best practices and specific design guidelines for SCADA systems.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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