Design and analysis of security attacks against critical smart grid infrastructures

Byungho Min*, Vijay Varadharajan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Smart grid, the future power grid, is expected to provide better energy efficiency, more customer choices and improved reliability and security. As the smart grid is an integrated system that consists of multiple subsystems, understanding it as a whole system is required to fully understand the security risks it faces. In this paper, a sophisticated cyber-physical system (CPS) unique malware attack against the smart grid is proposed. The paper first outlines the architecture of the smart grid in general. Then we present the characteristics of recent malware attacks targeting the CPS such as Stuxnet and Shamoon. These lead to the design of our proposed attack that incorporates the key features from the smart grid architecture and the recent real attacks. One key aspect of the proposed attack is that it manipulates various physical field devices as well as cyber systems to illustrate how a blackout is possible even under the security-improved smart grid environment. Then, we explain the application of defensive techniques in the context of the suggested attack. Lastly, prototype implementation showing the effectiveness of the attack and the defensive measures is described.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationICECCS 2014
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 19th International Conference on Engineering of Complex Computer Systems
Place of PublicationPiscataway, NJ
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Pages59-68
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781479954827
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Oct 2014
Event2014 19th International Conference on Engineering of Complex Computer Systems, ICECCS 2014 - Tianjin, China
Duration: 4 Aug 20147 Aug 2014

Other

Other2014 19th International Conference on Engineering of Complex Computer Systems, ICECCS 2014
Country/TerritoryChina
CityTianjin
Period4/08/147/08/14

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