PAS - White Papers

ICS Cybersecurity

OT/ICS Cybersecurity White Papers

Access our library of white papers, analyst papers, and eBooks discussing best practices for industrial control system cybersecurity.
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Alarm Management

Understanding and Applying the ANSI/ISA 18.2 Standard

Alarm Management has become an ever-increasing topic of discussion in the power and processing industries. In 2003, ISA started developing a standard around this subject. After six years of hard work, the ANSI/ISA-18.2-2009 Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries standard was published. This paper reviews the scope, regulatory impact, requirements, recommendations, alarm definitions, and other details of the standard.
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Understanding the IEC 62682 Alarm Management Standard

This white paper explains why there are now both an ISA-18.2 and an IEC 62682 Standard on “Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries.” The genesis of the IEC document is explained and the differences between the two documents are detailed.This paper is a supplement to the PAS white paper, “Understanding and Applying the ISA-18.2 Alarm Management Standard.
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Making a Big Dent in Nuisance Alarms

In this white paper, learn the PAS 7-step approach to alarm system improvement, a well-known and proven approach based on hundreds of successful projects and many terabytes of real-world data. Elimination of nuisance alarms is an essential, early step towards a properly functioning alarm system. Dealing with very few alarms, in the ways shown in this white paper, can create a large and easily calculated improvement in an alarm system, with very little time and effort.
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A Well-Kept Secret: The ISA 18.2 Technical Reports on Alarm Management

Since the ISA-18.2 Alarm Management Standard was originally issued in 2009, a series of associated International Society of Automation (ISA) Technical Reports (TRs) have been created. The TRs expand on the content of the standard, providing informative content with examples. This white paper discusses the differences between standards and technical reports and the content of each TR.
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Boundary Management

White Paper: Pushing Process Limits Without Compromising Safety

How can operating teams push processes to their optimal limits while maximizing safety and minimizing environmental impact? In this paper, we discuss new technology and methods for aggregating, analyzing, depicting, and controlling process boundary information to increase the awareness of the operator whilst enabling engineers and managers to ensure that the process is always operated.
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Control Loop Performance

White Paper: Are You in Control of Your Control Loops?

Operations Risk Management (ORM) is a layered approach designed to ensure safe and profitable operation. ORM focuses on the automation and control functions of process operations. Control loops are the first line of defense against risks to safety, the environment, production, efficiency, and profitability. In this paper, we’ll discuss common reasons for poor control loop performance and a seven-step process to help your organization optimize control loops. Three examples of successful control performance improvement initiatives are also discussed.
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IPL Assurance

What is Your SIS Doing When You're Not Watching?

You pay a lot of money for your Safety Instrumented System (SIS) and spend a lot on its upkeep. You expect it to always be there for you. Are you really getting your money’s worth? Is it doing things you don’t know about, or not doing things it should? In this paper, we examine many of the necessary administrative tasks associated with managing Independent Protection Layers (IPLs) with particular emphasis on SIS. Some of these tasks are often overlooked, and significant risks exist if they are not done properly.
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High Performance HMI

Maximize Operator Effectiveness Part I: Understanding High Performance HMI Principles and Best Practices

The first paper of a two-part white paper series, "Maximize Operator Effectiveness," breaks down the evolving standards and provides valuable insight into HPHMI principles and best practices. This white paper augments the detailed content in The High Performance HMI Handbook. Part one provides typical examples of common but poor HMIs, along with highly detailed depictions of improved methods that provide for much better operator situation awareness and control.
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Maximize Operator Effectiveness Part II: Interpreting the New ANSI/ISA 101.01-2015 Standards

The second paper of a two-part white paper series, "Maximize Operator Effectiveness," provides new case studies and guidelines on developing a detailed plan of action for the improvement of a process control HMI. This white paper augments the detailed content in The High Performance HMI Handbook.
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