Security is one of the challenging issues for the Smart Grid evolution.
With the increase of automation, remote monitoring and controlling of the grid make the grid more vulnerable by cyber assault.
According to Electric Power Research Institute, cybersecurity of the system is one of the biggest issue of the Smart Grid. There are different agencies and organizations like IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES), IEC Smart Grid Standardization, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are involve and help in standardization and regulation for the smart grid.
Some of the promising ongoing research in different domains of security for smart grids include: Privacy-preserving smart metering with multiple data consumers, Ortho code privacy mechanism in Smart Grid using ring communication architecture and Security Threat Model.
Planning for a Smart Grid is crucial for the U.S. to meet future electrical needs. The Smart Grid is an environment that supports not only the flow of electricity but also the flow of Operational information through a strong and reliable communications network. This fully digital, 2-way communication environment will deliver considerable asset optimization and efficiency opportunities for participating entities. The Smart Grid allows operators to be pro-active in the detection of generation, transmission and distribution problems, to isolate the problem areas, and to prevent cascading power outages.
To enjoy the Operational benefits derived from the implementation of the Smart Grid, utilities must ensure that appropriate measures are in place to protect the extensive information flow and control signals intrinsic to the Smart Grid, which is now projected to be fully operational in 2035
In the current transition period, when elements of the Smart Grid and legacy system components co-exist in the electric grid, cybersecurity concerns are particularly relevant for the P&E sector which has been identified as being among the top industrial security targets.
The U.S. Homeland Security organization, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Canadian Energy Infrastructure Protection Division have all issued an urgent call to action for the protection of energy control systems since increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks have been launched against system components, telecommunication systems, and common operating systems with the goal of sabotaging control systems.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers Smart Grid Cybersecurity Training, a 3-day class that teaches participants about the important aspects of cybersecurity in smart grids. The training consists of detailed information about smart power systems, recent technologies toward smart grids, potential threats and vulnerabilities in smart grids and security assessment in smart grids in order to advance the knowledge of audience about the cybersecurity in smart grids.
Additionally, Tonex offers nearly three dozen more courses in Cybersecurity Foundation. This includes cutting edge courses like:
—Cybersecurity Fundamentals (2 days)
—Electric Grid Cybersecurity Master Certification (4 weeks)
—Network Security Training (2 days)
—Software Security Training (2 days)
—ICS Cybersecurity Training (4 days)
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.