Cyber Protection of Grid-Connected Devices Through Embedded Online Security
- Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States); University of Arkansas
- Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States)
Cybersecurity research regarding the electric power grid has primarily been focused on protecting the communication layer of grid-connected devices against cyber-attack threats. Although many developed methods have greatly reduced the effects of a cyber-attack on the vulnerabilities of grid-connected devices, discovering new vulnerabilities is inevitable and a constant threat. As a result, the overall reliability and security of network communications with regard to grid-connected devices is a concern. Here, this paper proposes a method that further secures a system by focusing on the control and hardware layer of grid-connected devices. The device’s controller firmware will be validated and authenticated using integrated device emulation resources prior to being activated to control the grid-connected device. This verification process is performed while the controller is online and actively controlling power flows related to the device. Therefore, an attack to the system through a malicious firmware patch would be detected by the online security and rejected while safely maintaining continuous and stable control of the device. This method integrates the concepts of firmware hot-patching, digital twins, and active monitoring into an overall cybersecurity protection system.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0009026
- OSTI ID:
- 2341869
- Journal Information:
- 2021 IEEE Design Methodologies Conference (DMC), Journal Name: 2021 IEEE Design Methodologies Conference (DMC)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English