A survey on cyber security for smart grid communications

A smart grid is a new form of electricity network with high fidelity power-flow control, self-healing, and energy reliability and energy security using digital communications and control technology. To upgrade an existing power grid into a smart grid, it requires significant dependence on intelligent and secure communication infrastructures. It requires security frameworks for distributed communications, pervasive computing and sensing technologies in smart grid. However, as many of the communication technologies currently recommended to use by a smart grid is vulnerable in cyber security, it could lead to unreliable system operations, causing unnecessary expenditure, even consequential disaster to both utilities and consumers. In this paper, we summarize the cyber security requirements and the possible vulnerabilities in smart grid communications and survey the current solutions on cyber security for smart grid communications. © 2012 IEEE

Enhancing Cyber-Resiliency of DER-based SmartGrid: A Survey

The rapid development of information and communications technology has enabled the use of digital-controlled and software-driven distributed energy resources (DERs) to improve the flexibility and efficiency of power supply, and support grid operations. However, this evolution also exposes geographically-dispersed DERs to cyber threats, including hardware and software vulnerabilities, communication issues, and personnel errors, etc. Therefore, enhancing the cyber-resiliency of DER-based smart grid - the ability to survive successful cyber intrusions - is becoming increasingly vital and has garnered significant attention from both industry and academia. In this survey, we aim to provide a systematical and comprehensive review regarding the cyber-resiliency enhancement (CRE) of DER-based smart grid. Firstly, an integrated threat modeling method is tailored for the hierarchical DER-based smart grid with special emphasis on vulnerability identification and impact analysis. Then, the defense-in-depth strategies encompassing prevention, detection, mitigation, and recovery are comprehensively surveyed, systematically classified, and rigorously compared. A CRE framework is subsequently proposed to incorporate the five key resiliency enablers. Finally, challenges and future directions are discussed in details. The overall aim of this survey is to demonstrate the development trend of CRE methods and motivate further efforts to improve the cyber-resiliency of DER-based smart grid.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid for Publication Consideratio

Modelling of user requirements and behaviors in computational grids

In traditional distributed computing systems a few user types are found having ratherPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A Survey on Cyber Security for Smart Grid Networks

Smart grid is a electrical grid in which power generation units, transmission units, distribution units and electricity consumers are connected using advanced communication and information technologies. It is a new form of next generation power grid. Most of the countries across the globe are transforming their existing electrical grids to smart grid and hence smart grid technology is progressing worldwide. Smart grid provides a bi-directional flow of electricity and information from generation to transmission to distribution and hence more exposed to attacks. Many advanced communication technologies have been identified for smart grid usages. A secure communication infrastructure is a critical component of smart grid systems. Success of smart grids highly depends on secure communication network. Thus cyber security of smart grid networks is very important. In this paper, we summarize the cyber security threats, possible vulnerabilities and existing standards and solutions available for cyber security in smart grids networks based on the available reference material. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15050

A critical review of cyber-physical security for building automation systems

Modern Building Automation Systems (BASs), as the brain that enables the smartness of a smart building, often require increased connectivity both among system components as well as with outside entities, such as optimized automation via outsourced cloud analytics and increased building-grid integrations. However, increased connectivity and accessibility come with increased cyber security threats. BASs were historically developed as closed environments with limited cyber-security considerations. As a result, BASs in many buildings are vulnerable to cyber-attacks that may cause adverse consequences, such as occupant discomfort, excessive energy usage, and unexpected equipment downtime. Therefore, there is a strong need to advance the state-of-the-art in cyber-physical security for BASs and provide practical solutions for attack mitigation in buildings. However, an inclusive and systematic review of BAS vulnerabilities, potential cyber-attacks with impact assessment, detection & defense approaches, and cyber-secure resilient control strategies is currently lacking in the literature. This review paper fills the gap by providing a comprehensive up-to-date review of cyber-physical security for BASs at three levels in commercial buildings: management level, automation level, and field level. The general BASs vulnerabilities and protocol-specific vulnerabilities for the four dominant BAS protocols are reviewed, followed by a discussion on four attack targets and seven potential attack scenarios. The impact of cyber-attacks on BASs is summarized as signal corruption, signal delaying, and signal blocking. The typical cyber-attack detection and defense approaches are identified at the three levels. Cyber-secure resilient control strategies for BASs under attack are categorized into passive and active resilient control schemes. Open challenges and future opportunities are finally discussed.Comment: 38 pages, 7 figures, 6 tables, submitted to Annual Reviews in Contro

Security assessment of the smart grid : a review focusing on the NAN architecture

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive review on the security aspect of the smart grid communication network. The paper focus on the Neighborhood Area Network (NAN) cybersecurity and it laid emphasis on how the NAN architecture is such an attractive target to intruders and attackers. The paper aims at summarizing recent research efforts on some of the attacks and the various techniques employed in tackling them as they were discussed in recent literatures and research works. Furthermore, the paper presents a detailed review on the smart grid communication layers, wireless technology standards, networks and the security challenges the grid is currently facing. The work concludes by explaining current and future directions NAN communication security could consider in terms of data privacy measures. The data privacy measures are discussed in terms of prevention and detection techniques

Securing industrial control system environments: the missing piece

Cyberattacks on industrial control systems (ICSs) are no longer matters of anticipation. These systems are continually subject to malicious attacks without much resistance. Network breaches, data theft, denial of service, and command and control functions are examples of common attacks on ICSs. Despite available security solutions, safety, security, resilience, and performance require both private public sectors to step-up strategies to address increasing security concerns on ICSs. This paper reviews the ICS security risk landscape, including current security solution strategies in order to determine the gaps and limitations for effective mitigation. Notable issues point to a greater emphasis on technology security while discounting people and processes attributes. This is clearly incongruent with; emerging security risk trends, the biased security strategy of focusing more on supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and the emergence of more sector-specific solutions as against generic security solutions. Better solutions need to include approaches that follow similar patterns as the problem trend. These include security measures that are evolutionary by design in response to security risk dynamics. Solutions that recognize and include; people, process and technology security enhancement into asingle system, and addressing all three-entity vulnerabilities can provide a better solution for ICS environments