Cybersecurity for Microgrids Essentials Training by Tonex
As microgrids become increasingly digitized and integrated with IT/OT infrastructures, cybersecurity emerges as a mission-critical priority. This course provides a deep dive into the threat landscape, standards, security architectures, and mitigation techniques specific to microgrids. Participants gain hands-on exposure to threat modeling, secure communications, intrusion detection, and incident response strategies tailored for cyber-physical power systems.
Learning Objectives
- Identify vulnerabilities and attack surfaces in SCADA, DERMS, and control layers.
- Apply NIST, IEC 62443, and NERC CIP frameworks to microgrid cybersecurity.
- Deploy secure protocols, authentication, and encryption methods for OT environments.
- Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests on microgrid assets.
- Design resilient architectures with detection, monitoring, and incident response.
- Balance security vs. operational performance in microgrid control.
Audience
- Cybersecurity engineers in the energy sector
- Utility OT/IT engineers and system operators
- Microgrid integrators and consultants
- Regulators and compliance officers
2-Day Agenda
Day 1 – Threat Landscape & Secure Architecture
- Cyber-physical threats in microgrids: DoS, spoofing, malware, insider attacks
- IT/OT integration risks and security best practices
- Security standards overview (NIST SP 800-82, IEC 62443, NERC CIP)
- Designing segmented networks, DMZs, and secure gateways
- Hands-on exercise: Threat modeling and risk assessment for a microgrid
Day 2 – Detection, Response & Defense-in-Depth
- Intrusion detection systems and anomaly monitoring in OT networks
- Secure communication protocols for DERs (TLS, VPNs, IEC 61850 security)
- Incident response planning and forensic readiness
- Tabletop exercise: Simulated red team/blue team microgrid cyberattack
- Case study: Lessons from real-world cyberattacks on critical energy systems