What does SCADA stand for?

SCADA stands for "Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition." This term refers to a system used in industrial control systems to gather and analyze real-time data. SCADA systems are crucial for monitoring and controlling infrastructure and facility-based processes, such as those in manufacturing, power generation, water treatment, and other critical industrial operations.

The name itself highlights the system's dual functions: 'Supervisory Control' indicates that the system allows operators to oversee the system processes, while 'Data Acquisition' refers to the ability to collect and process data from various sensors or devices throughout the system. The correct answer emphasizes both aspects integral to SCADA's functionality.

The other options, while they contain elements related to SCADA, do not represent the correct term or completely convey its purpose and structure. The incorrect alternatives may confuse similar concepts or other terms related to industrial control, but they lack the specificity and recognized definition aligned with SCADA systems.