I often wondered about someone being able to get into the system from outside. The technology being used to remote sense the operations were outmoded/obsolete technologies once used widely in the communications industry.

The ability to reach into the system from higher authority existed as well. There were times when we had to leave the local control and go to a remote location a hundred miles or more distant from the main control we normally used. This remote control was the engineer’s back up monitoring location.

I am being very circumspect about the feild, company, and usage. I will not answer the who, why, or where because of this. Let us just say that it was done this way and leave it at that for this instance.

Still shutdowns were tied into the remote system. Valve controls, engine controls and various sensors to pick up out of parameter conditions all existed in the same packages. The network was extensive and the areas controlled huge.

Then this sort of article pops up and it really makes me wonder afresh about a job I no longer do as I am no longer with that particular company.

some things are just better left disconnected.