A critical chemical reactor is controlled by a single PLC. The plant manager wants to ensure that a failure of the PLC does not cause a shutdown. Which redundancy approach is most appropriate for this scenario?

Increase the scan rate of the PLC to improve performance.

Connect the PLC to a second HMI for backup monitoring.

Use a redundant power supply for the existing PLC.

Add a second PLC in a hot standby configuration that takes over if the primary fails.

What is the primary purpose of the Purdue model (or similar layered architecture) in ICS?

To standardize the programming languages used in PLCs

To separate OT and IT zones to improve security and manageability

To define the physical layout of the plant floor

To specify the exact hardware vendors that must be used

In a temperature control loop, which component would be considered the sensor?

A PLC that runs the control algorithm

A control valve that adjusts steam flow

A thermocouple that produces a voltage proportional to temperature

An HMI that displays the temperature reading

A technician is troubleshooting a level control loop where the level transmitter reading is fluctuating wildly, causing the control valve to oscillate. The technician suspects the transmitter is faulty. Which action would best confirm the transmitter is the problem?

Check the controller's PID tuning.

Check the HMI's scaling settings.

Check the transmitter's calibration and perform a bench test with a known input.

Check the control valve for sticking.

GIAC Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional

Domain 1Objective 1

ICS Components & Architecture GICSP Practice Questions (Page 9)

Part of the ICS Fundamentals and Architecture domain, which makes up ~40% of our current practice bank. GIAC (SANS) does not publish an official question count, but from its 180-minute exam (~70–120 total, ~28–48 in this domain), expect 7–12 from this objective — we provide 53 practice questions to prepare you well beyond it. (estimate)

53questions here

11free pages

10concepts

Questions 41–45

41application · medium
A critical chemical reactor is controlled by a single PLC. The plant manager wants to ensure that a failure of the PLC does not cause a shutdown. Which redundancy approach is most appropriate for this scenario?
Select an answer first
42foundation · easy
What is the primary purpose of the Purdue model (or similar layered architecture) in ICS?
Select an answer first
43application · easy
A technician is inspecting a packaging line and identifies a device that measures the position of a bottle on a conveyor and a device that pushes the bottle into a carton. Which pair of ICS components do these devices represent?
Select an answer first
44foundation · easy
In a temperature control loop, which component would be considered the sensor?
Select an answer first
45expert · hard
A technician is troubleshooting a level control loop where the level transmitter reading is fluctuating wildly, causing the control valve to oscillate. The technician suspects the transmitter is faulty. Which action would best confirm the transmitter is the problem?
Select an answer first

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