Attacks, vulnerabilities and security requirements in smart metering networks

A smart meter is one of the core components in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) that is responsible for providing effective control and monitor of electrical energy consumptions. The multifunction tasks that a smart meter carries out such as facilitating two-way communication between utility providers and consumers, managing metering data, delivering anomalies reports, analyzing fault and power quality, simply show that there are huge amount of data exchange in smart metering networks (SMNs). These data are prone to security threats due to high dependability of SMNs on Internet-based communication, which is highly insecure. Therefore, there is a need to identify all possible security threats over this network and propose suitable countermeasures for securing the communication between smart meters and utility provider office. This paper studies the architecture of the smart grid communication networks, focuses on smart metering networks and discusses how such networks can be vulnerable to security attacks. This paper also presents current mechanisms that have been used to secure the smart metering networks from specific type of attacks in SMNs. Moreover, we highlight several open issues related to the security and privacy of SMNs which we anticipate could serve as baseline for future research directions

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

Multipath Routing of Fragmented Data Transfer in a Smart Grid Environment

The purpose of this paper is to do a general survey on the existing communication modes inside a smart grid, the existing security loopholes and their countermeasures. Then we suggest a detailed countermeasure, building upon the Jigsaw based secure data transfer [8] for enhanced security of the data flow inside the communication system of a smart grid. The paper has been written without the consideration of any factor of inoperability between the various security techniques inside a smart gridComment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Smart Grid Communications: Overview of Research Challenges, Solutions, and Standardization Activities

Optimization of energy consumption in future intelligent energy networks (or Smart Grids) will be based on grid-integrated near-real-time communications between various grid elements in generation, transmission, distribution and loads. This paper discusses some of the challenges and opportunities of communications research in the areas of smart grid and smart metering. In particular, we focus on some of the key communications challenges for realizing interoperable and future-proof smart grid/metering networks, smart grid security and privacy, and how some of the existing networking technologies can be applied to energy management. Finally, we also discuss the coordinated standardization efforts in Europe to harmonize communications standards and protocols.Comment: To be published in IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorial

Evaluation of Cybersecurity Threats on Smart Metering System

Smart metering has emerged as the next-generation of energy distribution, consumption, and monitoring systems via the convergence of power engineering and information and communication technology (ICT) integration otherwise known as smart grid systems. While the innovation is advancing the future power generation, distribution, consumption monitoring and information delivery, the success of the platform is positively correlated to the thriving integration of technologies upon which the system is built. Nonetheless, the rising trend of cybersecurity attacks on cyber infrastructure and its dependent systems coupled with the system’s inherent vulnerabilities present a source of concern not only to the vendors but also the consumers. These security concerns need to be addressed in order to increase consumer confidence so as to ensure greatest adoption and success of smart metering. In this paper, we present a functional communication architecture of the smart metering system. Following that, we demonstrate and discuss the taxonomy of smart metering common vulnerabilities exposure, upon which sophisticated threats can capitalize. We then introduce countermeasure techniques, whose integration is considered pivotal for achieving security protection against existing and future sophisticated attacks on smart metering systems

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