A novel methodology to validate cyberattacks and evaluate their impact on power systems using real time digital simulation

Shahbaz Hussain; Atif Iqbal; Stefano Zanero; S. M. Suhail Hussain; Abdullatif Shikfa; Enrico Ragaini; Rashid Alammari; Irfan Khan

doi:10.1109/TPEC51183.2021.9384911

A novel methodology to validate cyberattacks and evaluate their impact on power systems using real time digital simulation

Shahbaz Hussain, Atif Iqbal, Stefano Zanero, S. M. Suhail Hussain, Abdullatif Shikfa, Enrico Ragaini, Rashid Alammari, Irfan Khan^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The traditional power systems are rapidly digitalized and automated for increased monitoring and control. This automation of power system communication has made it possible to monitor and control operations remotely in a plant. However, this also opens up an exploitation vector for attackers, after they gain access to the substation network. This scenario can only be investigated through an in-depth study of communication protocols and control authority concepts associated with power system. IEC 61850 has emerged as the most popular protocol for power system communication. In this paper, we investigate realtime simulation of power systems with IEC 61850 based communication, in order to devise a testbed that can be used to validate false data injection cyberattacks and evaluate their impact. Based on the results, we discuss possible countermeasures to such attacks and outline future research directions.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)	9781728186122
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEC51183.2021.9384911
State	Published - 2 Feb 2021
Externally published	Yes

Publication series

Name	2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 IEEE.

Keywords

IEC 61850
communication protocols
control authority
countermeasures
cyberattacks
false data injection
real time digital simulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Control and Optimization

Access to Document

10.1109/TPEC51183.2021.9384911

Cite this

Hussain, S., Iqbal, A., Zanero, S., Suhail Hussain, S. M., Shikfa, A., Ragaini, E., Alammari, R., & Khan, I. (2021). A novel methodology to validate cyberattacks and evaluate their impact on power systems using real time digital simulation. In 2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021 Article 9384911 (2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEC51183.2021.9384911

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abstract = "The traditional power systems are rapidly digitalized and automated for increased monitoring and control. This automation of power system communication has made it possible to monitor and control operations remotely in a plant. However, this also opens up an exploitation vector for attackers, after they gain access to the substation network. This scenario can only be investigated through an in-depth study of communication protocols and control authority concepts associated with power system. IEC 61850 has emerged as the most popular protocol for power system communication. In this paper, we investigate realtime simulation of power systems with IEC 61850 based communication, in order to devise a testbed that can be used to validate false data injection cyberattacks and evaluate their impact. Based on the results, we discuss possible countermeasures to such attacks and outline future research directions.",

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author = "Shahbaz Hussain and Atif Iqbal and Stefano Zanero and \{Suhail Hussain\}, \{S. M.\} and Abdullatif Shikfa and Enrico Ragaini and Rashid Alammari and Irfan Khan",

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Hussain, S, Iqbal, A, Zanero, S, Suhail Hussain, SM, Shikfa, A, Ragaini, E, Alammari, R & Khan, I 2021, A novel methodology to validate cyberattacks and evaluate their impact on power systems using real time digital simulation. in 2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021., 9384911, 2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEC51183.2021.9384911

A novel methodology to validate cyberattacks and evaluate their impact on power systems using real time digital simulation. / Hussain, Shahbaz; Iqbal, Atif; Zanero, Stefano et al.
2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2021. 9384911 (2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AU - Hussain, Shahbaz

AU - Iqbal, Atif

AU - Zanero, Stefano

AU - Suhail Hussain, S. M.

AU - Shikfa, Abdullatif

AU - Ragaini, Enrico

AU - Alammari, Rashid

AU - Khan, Irfan

PY - 2021/2/2

Y1 - 2021/2/2

N2 - The traditional power systems are rapidly digitalized and automated for increased monitoring and control. This automation of power system communication has made it possible to monitor and control operations remotely in a plant. However, this also opens up an exploitation vector for attackers, after they gain access to the substation network. This scenario can only be investigated through an in-depth study of communication protocols and control authority concepts associated with power system. IEC 61850 has emerged as the most popular protocol for power system communication. In this paper, we investigate realtime simulation of power systems with IEC 61850 based communication, in order to devise a testbed that can be used to validate false data injection cyberattacks and evaluate their impact. Based on the results, we discuss possible countermeasures to such attacks and outline future research directions.

AB - The traditional power systems are rapidly digitalized and automated for increased monitoring and control. This automation of power system communication has made it possible to monitor and control operations remotely in a plant. However, this also opens up an exploitation vector for attackers, after they gain access to the substation network. This scenario can only be investigated through an in-depth study of communication protocols and control authority concepts associated with power system. IEC 61850 has emerged as the most popular protocol for power system communication. In this paper, we investigate realtime simulation of power systems with IEC 61850 based communication, in order to devise a testbed that can be used to validate false data injection cyberattacks and evaluate their impact. Based on the results, we discuss possible countermeasures to such attacks and outline future research directions.

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KW - communication protocols

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BT - 2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

ER -

Hussain S, Iqbal A, Zanero S, Suhail Hussain SM, Shikfa A, Ragaini E et al. A novel methodology to validate cyberattacks and evaluate their impact on power systems using real time digital simulation. In 2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2021. 9384911. (2021 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference, TPEC 2021). doi: 10.1109/TPEC51183.2021.9384911

A novel methodology to validate cyberattacks and evaluate their impact on power systems using real time digital simulation

Abstract

Publication series

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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Cite this