- Smart Grid - Home
- Smart Grid Introduction
- What is an Electric Grid?
- Electric Grid Evolution
- What is a Smart Grid?
- Smart Grid - Functions
- Smart Grid - Characteristics
- Smart Grid - Advantages
- Smart Grid - Components
- Smart Grid - Challenges
- Smart Grid Technologies
- Smart Energy Resources
- Power System Automation
- Smart Substations
- Substation Automation
- Smart Grid - Feeder Automation
- Energy Management System
- Smart Grid - FACTS
- HVDC Transmission
- Wide Area Monitoring
- SCADA in Smart Grid
- Smart Grid - DMS
- Smart Grid - OMS
- Volt/VAR Control
- Smart Grid - FMSR
- Smart Grid - HEDT
- Phase Shifting Transformers
- Smart Grid - PHEV
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure
- Smart Meters - Introduction
- Smart Meters - AMI
- Smart Meters - AMIS
- Communication Architecture
- Drivers & Benefits
- Phasor Measurement Unit
- Intelligent Electronic Devices
- Power Quality Management
- Power Quality in Smart Grid
- Power Quality Issues
- Power Quality Monitoring Techniques
- Power Quality Conditioners
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
- Power Quality Audit
- Smart Grid Communication
- Smart Grid Communication
- Communication Network
- Communication Technologies
- Broadband Over Power Line
- Internet Protocols
- Web Services in Smart Grid
- Cloud Computing
- Multi Agent System Technology
- IP Based Protocols
- Cyber Security
Smart Grid - Cyber Security
A smart grid is an integrated electric grid of electricity network and advanced digital communication technologies to provide a more efficient electricity delivery system. Due to the increased technology integration into the electric grid, it requires a robust cyber security system to protect it from threats and unauthorized access.
Read this chapter to learn the role of cyber security in protecting the smart grids.
What is Cyber Security in Smart Grid?
In the context of smart grids, cyber security is defined as the measures and techniques used to protect the grid infrastructure from cyber threats.
A smart grid is a digital communication empowered electricity grid, hence it is vulnerable to cybercrimes and threats. Therefore, we have to perform a wide range of activities from communication channel security to protection of sensitive data. These activities are referred to as cyber security.
Cyber security plays an important role in smart grids to ensure uninterrupted power delivery to the end users.
Important Terms Related Smart Grid Cyber Security
The following terms and definitions are important for understanding the smart grid cyber security.
1. Cyber Infrastructure
It is a system of components that includes electronic information and communication systems. It performs the following functions −
- Provides communication and cooperation among all hardware and software components.
- Performs processing like creation, access, modification, and destruction of information.
- Performs storage of information in all media formats.
- Provides sharing and distribution of information across the grid.
Therefore, the cyber infrastructure provides digital components working together to build an efficient and responsive electricity delivery system.
2. Cyber Security
The security activities that focus on protecting the digital communication system and ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information is referred to as cyber security.
Cyber security typically includes the following activities −
- Prevention of unauthorized access of digital information.
- Secure data transmission through encryption.
- Authentication and access control implementation in the system.
- Protecting the system against suspicious activities.
3. Cyber Security Risks
The following are some major cyber security risks that affects the integrity of any digital communication system −
- Security risks due to malicious programs like malware and viruses that can lead malfunctioning of the system or steal the information.
- Phishing attacks are another common cyber security risks. In these attacks, users sensitive information is collected through deceptive messages or emails.
- To cause unwanted shutdown of a system, DOS (Denial of Service) attack is performed by sending sudden excessive traffic to the system.
All these cyber security risks can breakdown the smart grid system and can lead to consequences like power outages or data breaches.
Smart Grid Security Issues
Listed here are some of the major issues related to smart grid security −
- Smart grid uses a large number of communication and smart devices. Therefore, it has a wide surface for security attacks. Thus, in smart grids, the security attackers can enter to the system from various points.
- Smart grids can face security issues due to incompatibility between different technologies.
- A smart grid system consisting of older components is more vulnerable to modern cyber threats. Hence, another security issue is related to smart grids infrastructure upgradation.
System-Level Threats
In smart grids, those cyber security threats that can impact and take down the entire grid are referred to as system-level threats. The following are the major consequences of the system-level threats in smart grids −
- Security attackers can manipulate the grid for changing the electricity flow, causing the power outages or equipment damage.
- Attackers can inject false data into the grid communication system that can result in incorrect decision making by utilities and consumers.
- Attackers can also disrupt the supply chain to introduce vulnerability in the system.
Attempts to Steal Electrical Service
It is one of the common cyber security threats in the smart grid. Under this cyber threat, the security attackers hack into the smart meters to alter the meter readings and reduce the energy bills. This threat causes a significant financial loss for the utility companies.
Attempts to Compromise the Confidentiality of Data
Smart grids collect and store a large volume of consumers sensitive data. Attackers can have unauthorized access to this consumer data and can lead to privacy violations and identity theft. Using this cyber-attack, the competitive companies can also steal utilitys operational data and affect the business.
Cyber Threat Mitigation Techniques
Cyber threat mitigation techniques in smart grid can be classified into the following categories −
- Physical Security − Under this security practice, the SCADA network is found to be poorly protected in most smart grids. Therefore, the primary security measure to protect the smart grid is that we should try to keep the intruders off the premises. This could be achieved through video surveillance, electronic access control, etc.
- Privacy and Security of Data − In smart grid, a large variety of entities are involved. Thus, it is very important to protect the data during storage and transmission. For this, we have to implement firewalls between different segments of the smart grid, avoid using insecure remote data management, avoid failed authentication account lockout and logging problems.
- Authorized and Access Control − A typical smart grid system is accessed by various user groups like employers, employees, contractors, vendors, consumers, etc. These groups are provided with proper authorization and access through strong passwords.
- Securing Network Devices and Systems − The smart meters must be equipped with temper detection system. Other devices are also provided proper protection through unique key.
Conclusion
Cyber security plays an important role in smart grid systems because a smart grid uses digital communication technology and data collection and storage. These components are highly vulnerable to cyber risks. Therefore, to maintain confidentiality and integrity of the smart grid system, we should implement robust cyber security measures so that the smart grid can be kept protected from all kinds of cyber threats.