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Cyber Physical Systems

Code: TBD · Credits: 4 · Hours: 60 · Type: ELECTIVE

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are computational systems tightly coupled with the physical processes they sense, control, or actuate — industrial control, smart grids, autonomous vehicles, medical devices, robotics, and modern Industrial IoT. This elective builds the joint vocabulary of control systems, real-time networks, and the security model that emerges when bits and atoms share a feedback loop.

Key topics​

  • Foundations of CPS: feedback control, sampling, real-time scheduling.
  • ICS / SCADA architecture: PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, historians, fieldbus protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 60870, IEC 61850).
  • CPS attack surface: Stuxnet-class malware, replay, false-data injection, sensor spoofing.
  • Safety vs security trade-offs in critical infrastructure.
  • Defensive design: zoning (Purdue model), unidirectional gateways, anomaly detection on operational telemetry.
  • Smart grid, water utilities, manufacturing, transport — case studies and Nepal-relevant infrastructure (NEA, NWSC, NAC).

Learning outcomes​

By the end of this subject, a student should be able to:

  • Map a CPS deployment into the Purdue reference architecture and identify trust boundaries.
  • Analyse a control loop for safety + security risks (timing, integrity, availability).
  • Configure baseline hardening for ICS networks (segmentation, allow-listed flows).
  • Read and explain published CPS incident post-mortems with the right framing.

Further reading​

  • E.A. Lee & S.A. Seshia, Introduction to Embedded Systems — foundational text on CPS.
  • NIST SP 800-82 Rev 3, Guide to OT Security (2023).
  • ICS-CERT / CISA advisories archive.
  • Langner, Robust Control System Networks — practical hardening guide.
Chapter notes

Detailed chapter-by-chapter notes for this subject are still being written. The topic outline above mirrors the published syllabus. If you'd like to help draft a chapter, see the contributing guide.

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