SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a software system used to monitor and control industrial processes that are distributed over large geographical areas. It consists of hardware and software components including input/output devices, controllers, network infrastructure, a human-machine interface, database, and communication systems. SCADA collects data from remote locations, processes the information, and presents it to operators to monitor and exercise control over equipment and conditions from a central location. It allows operators to perform supervisory control functions and to gather data by communicating with remote terminal units, programmable logic controllers, and other networked devices.