Securing access to privileged functionality in run-time mode on remote terminal unit

A system comprising:

• a remote terminal unit (RTU) including a mode selector local thereto, the mode selector having a first state associated with a run-time operational mode of the RTU and a second state different than the first state associated with a privileged operational mode of the RTU, wherein in response to the mode selector physically moving from the first state to the second state, the run-time operational mode of the RTU is deactivated and the privileged operational mode of the RTU is activated;
• and
• a computing device communicatively coupled to the RTU, the computing device configured to perform one or more functionalities associated with the privileged operational mode when the RTU is in the privileged operational mode, wherein authentication is required in the privileged operational mode;
• wherein subsequent to performing the one or more functionalities associated with the privileged operational mode the privileged operational mode is deactivated and the run-time operational mode of the RTU is re-activated, and
• wherein access to the one or more functionalities associated with the privileged operational mode is prevented and one or more functionalities associated with the run-time operational mode are enabled when the RTU is in the run-time operational mode, and
• wherein authentication is permitted in the run-time operational mode.