This paper deals with the inevitable consequence of the convenience and efficiency we benefit from the open, networked control system operation of safety-critical applications: vulnerability to such system from cyber-attacks. Even with numerous metrics and methods for intrusion detection and mitigation strategy, a complete detection and deterrence of internal code flaws and outside cyber-attacks has not been found and would not be found anytime soon. Considering the ever incompleteness of detection and prevention and the impact and consequence of mal-functions of the safety-critical operations caused by cyber incidents, this paper proposes a new computer control system architecture which assures resiliency even under compromised situations. The proposed architecture is centered on diversification of hardware systems and unidirectional communication from the proposed system in alerting suspicious activities to upper layers. This paper details the architectural structure of the proposed cyber defensive computer control system architecture for power substation applications and its validation in lab experimentation and on a cybersecurity testbed.
Standards based security for energy utilitiesNirmal Thaliyil
The document discusses standards for cybersecurity in the energy sector. It notes that threats are increasing as energy infrastructure becomes more connected and data-driven. The document outlines some key cybersecurity standards for the energy industry including NERC CIP, IEEE1686, and IEC 62351. It maps these standards based on their level of technical detail and completeness. The document also discusses best practices for cybersecurity including technological and operational controls and how standards relate to controls for protection, detection and response.
This document discusses cyber security in smart grids. It begins with an introduction to smart grids and their reliance on information and communication technologies (ICT). It then discusses three security objectives for smart grids: data availability, confidentiality, and integrity. Several types of cyber attacks on smart grids are described, including denial-of-service attacks, random attacks, and false data injection attacks. The document concludes by evaluating techniques for detecting attacks, such as using chi-square tests and cosine similarity matching to compare expected and measured smart grid data.
This document discusses analytics for assessing cybersecurity risks in smart grids. It identifies several risk management practices for smart grids including the NIST supply chain risk management practice, Department of Energy risk management practice, and compliance with technical standards. It also maps the relationships between smart grid domains, actors, interfaces, and vulnerabilities based on NIST guidelines to identify high-risk areas and inform priority actions. Finally, it shows how risk identification and assessment can be conducted based on analyzing security objectives, impact levels, and relationships between smart grid components defined in NIST guidelines.
Smart Grid security expert & previous hacker Emil Gurevitch explains how hackers can get to your Smart Grid, and how utilities can detect and respond to Smart Metering Cyber-attacks.
As the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system are deployed in infrastructures which are critical to the survival of a nation, they have emerged as a potential terrain for cyber-war, thus attracting the considered attention of ‘nation-states’. The analysis of worms like ‘stuxnet’ ‘flame’ and ‘duqu’ reveals the hand of a ‘nation-state’ in their design and deployment. Hence, the necessity to understand various issues in the defence of SCADA systems arises. The forensics of the SCADA system provide deep insight into the design and deployment of the worm (the malware) once the system is attacked. This is precisely the scope of this essay.
Practical analysis of the cybersecurity of European smart gridsSergey Gordeychik
This paper summarizes the experience gained during a series of
practical cybersecurity assessments of various components of Europe’s
smart electrical grids.
This document discusses cyber security concerns regarding smart grid technology integration. It outlines how increased data sharing and connectivity between new and legacy systems introduces new cyber vulnerabilities. It then summarizes existing cyber security standards from organizations like ISO, NERC, and IEC that can provide frameworks for addressing these vulnerabilities. Finally, it notes challenges integrating new technologies with legacy systems and the need for a strategic roadmap to help guide secure technology adoption.
This document describes a proposed user-centric machine learning framework for a cyber security operations center. It discusses the typical data sources in a SOC like security logs and alerts from various systems. It explains how this data can be processed and used to create an effective machine learning system to evaluate user risks. This would help security analysts prioritize investigations and improve efficiency. The proposed framework integrates alert information, security logs, and analyst notes to generate features and labels for machine learning models. It aims to reduce manual analysis workload while enhancing security. The document also provides an example implementation using real industry data to demonstrate the full process from data collection and labeling to model training and evaluation.
Standards based security for energy utilitiesNirmal Thaliyil
The document discusses standards for cybersecurity in the energy sector. It notes that threats are increasing as energy infrastructure becomes more connected and data-driven. The document outlines some key cybersecurity standards for the energy industry including NERC CIP, IEEE1686, and IEC 62351. It maps these standards based on their level of technical detail and completeness. The document also discusses best practices for cybersecurity including technological and operational controls and how standards relate to controls for protection, detection and response.
This document discusses cyber security in smart grids. It begins with an introduction to smart grids and their reliance on information and communication technologies (ICT). It then discusses three security objectives for smart grids: data availability, confidentiality, and integrity. Several types of cyber attacks on smart grids are described, including denial-of-service attacks, random attacks, and false data injection attacks. The document concludes by evaluating techniques for detecting attacks, such as using chi-square tests and cosine similarity matching to compare expected and measured smart grid data.
This document discusses analytics for assessing cybersecurity risks in smart grids. It identifies several risk management practices for smart grids including the NIST supply chain risk management practice, Department of Energy risk management practice, and compliance with technical standards. It also maps the relationships between smart grid domains, actors, interfaces, and vulnerabilities based on NIST guidelines to identify high-risk areas and inform priority actions. Finally, it shows how risk identification and assessment can be conducted based on analyzing security objectives, impact levels, and relationships between smart grid components defined in NIST guidelines.
Smart Grid security expert & previous hacker Emil Gurevitch explains how hackers can get to your Smart Grid, and how utilities can detect and respond to Smart Metering Cyber-attacks.
As the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system are deployed in infrastructures which are critical to the survival of a nation, they have emerged as a potential terrain for cyber-war, thus attracting the considered attention of ‘nation-states’. The analysis of worms like ‘stuxnet’ ‘flame’ and ‘duqu’ reveals the hand of a ‘nation-state’ in their design and deployment. Hence, the necessity to understand various issues in the defence of SCADA systems arises. The forensics of the SCADA system provide deep insight into the design and deployment of the worm (the malware) once the system is attacked. This is precisely the scope of this essay.
Practical analysis of the cybersecurity of European smart gridsSergey Gordeychik
This paper summarizes the experience gained during a series of
practical cybersecurity assessments of various components of Europe’s
smart electrical grids.
This document discusses cyber security concerns regarding smart grid technology integration. It outlines how increased data sharing and connectivity between new and legacy systems introduces new cyber vulnerabilities. It then summarizes existing cyber security standards from organizations like ISO, NERC, and IEC that can provide frameworks for addressing these vulnerabilities. Finally, it notes challenges integrating new technologies with legacy systems and the need for a strategic roadmap to help guide secure technology adoption.
This document describes a proposed user-centric machine learning framework for a cyber security operations center. It discusses the typical data sources in a SOC like security logs and alerts from various systems. It explains how this data can be processed and used to create an effective machine learning system to evaluate user risks. This would help security analysts prioritize investigations and improve efficiency. The proposed framework integrates alert information, security logs, and analyst notes to generate features and labels for machine learning models. It aims to reduce manual analysis workload while enhancing security. The document also provides an example implementation using real industry data to demonstrate the full process from data collection and labeling to model training and evaluation.
- The smart grid extends power systems into homes and businesses, creating new security challenges as critical infrastructure connects to less secure networks.
- We need accurate models of the smart grid that consider both cyber and physical pathways between components in order to understand vulnerabilities and identify security weaknesses across the integrated system.
- A federated approach is needed to both secure the smart grid and model its complex interactions, as the system spans multiple organizations with critical and non-critical functions that must be isolated despite sharing physical infrastructure.
Smart Grid Systems Based Survey on Cyber Security IssuesjournalBEEI
The future power system will be an innovative administration of existing power grids, which is called smart grid. Above all, the application of advanced communication and computing tools is going to significantly improve the productivity and consistency of smart grid systems with renewable energy resources. Together with the topographies of the smart grid, cyber security appears as a serious concern since a huge number of automatic devices are linked through communication networks. Cyber attacks on those devices had a direct influence on the reliability of extensive infrastructure of the power system. In this survey, several published works related to smart grid system vulnerabilities, potential intentional attacks, and suggested countermeasures for these threats have been investigated.
Webinar - Reducing the Risk of a Cyber Attack on UtilitiesWPICPE
Jim Girouard, Sr. Product Development Manager at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, outlines the growing menace of cyber attacks on utility companies and how to educate yourself to reduce risk.
Smart grids is an added communication capabilities and intelligence to traditional grids,smart grids are enabled by Intelligent sensors and actuators, Extended data management system,Expanded two way communication between utility operation system facilities and customers,Network security ,National integration ,Self healing and adaptive –Improve distribution and transmission system operation,Allow customers freedom to purchase power based on dynamic pricing ,Improved quality of power-less wastage ,Integration of large variety of generation options.
We have seen the more complex and critical infrastructure the more vulnerable they are. From the Year of 1994 we have seen lots of incidents where SmartGrid were Hacked the latest and booming incident was Stuxnet Worm which targeted Nuclear Power System of Iran and Worldwide.There are different types of Attacks we will see. Security needed for Smart Grid.
This document summarizes a research paper that proposes a design for a secure, Wi-Fi integrated electricity meter called an Impregnable Device for Secured Metering (IDSM). The IDSM consists of a sophisticated meter with additional security features compared to traditional meters. It uses Wi-Fi communication, a microcontroller, and a centralized monitoring and control unit. Random number addressing cryptography (RAC) is chosen as the most secure encryption technique. The meter in each home connects via a wireless network to a server that calculates billing amounts and sends updates to be displayed on the home meter, reducing labor while increasing transparency. The design aims to provide secure communication at high speeds with an advanced metering system and unique database backend.
An efficient key management system is required to support cryptography. Most key management systems use either pre-installed shared keys or install initial security parameters using out-of-band channels. These methods create an additional burden for engineers who manage the devices in industrial plants. Hence, device deployment in industrial plants becomes a challenging task in order to achieve security. In this work, we present a device deployment framework that can support key management using the existing trust towards employees in a plant. This approach reduces the access to initial security parameters by employees; rather it helps to bind the trust of the employee with device commissioning. Thus, this approach presents a unique solution to the device deployment problem. Further, through a proof-of-concept implementation and security analysis using the AVISPA tool, we present that our framework is feasible to implement and satisfies our security objectives.
EMPLOYEE TRUST BASED INDUSTRIAL DEVICE DEPLOYMENT AND INITIAL KEY ESTABLISHMENTIJNSA Journal
The document proposes a framework for deploying and establishing initial keys for devices in industrial plants. It leverages the existing trust in employees to simplify the process. The framework uses an employee management system to issue identity cards to trusted commissioning engineers. When deploying a new device, an engineer's identity card is used to transfer their trust to the device. This allows the device to securely join the plant network without requiring manual key entry or distribution of secret keys. The framework is designed to work with devices of varying capabilities and without direct connections to central management systems. A proof-of-concept implementation and security analysis show the framework can feasibly establish initial trust during device deployment.
Security Issues in SCADA based Industrial Control Systems aswanthmrajeev112
This document discusses security concerns in industrial control systems. It provides an overview of industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA systems, which are widely used to control infrastructure systems. It outlines several vulnerabilities in ICS, including issues with legacy systems not being designed with modern cybersecurity threats in mind. Specific threats like zero-day vulnerabilities, non-prioritized tasks, and database/communication protocol issues are examined. The conclusion states that additional digital security techniques are needed to protect critical infrastructure control systems.
Augmentation of a SCADA based firewall against foreign hacking devices IJECEIAES
This document summarizes a research paper that implemented a SCADA-based firewall to protect data transmission from external hacking devices. The paper first discusses a case study where an industrial control system was hacked 46 times. It then provides an overview of industrial firewalls and the differences between industrial and IT firewalls. The paper describes configuring a Tofino industrial firewall with SCADA-HMI and PLC assets. It tests the firewall by simulating scenarios without and with the firewall, showing the firewall prevents an attacker from accessing the PLC simulator based on communication protocols. The paper concludes customized industrial firewalls are needed and protocols must be regularly updated as cyber attacks evolve.
This document discusses the cyber security risks of smart grids and proposes an integrated security framework to address these risks. Smart grids integrate information infrastructure with electrical infrastructure, improving performance but also increasing vulnerability to cyber attacks. The framework features security agents, managed security switches, and a security manager to provide layered protection, intrusion detection, and access control across the power automation network in a scalable and extensible manner. This integrated approach is needed as power systems have different security needs than traditional IT networks.
The document discusses cyber security threats to the US power grid. It notes that the power grid consists of over 300,000 km of transmission lines operated by 500 companies. Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure like the power grid are increasing in frequency and sophistication, which could have severe consequences. For example, a DDoS attack costing just $40 could overwhelm network links and cause a blackout. The document also provides examples of past cyber attacks on energy systems like Stuxnet and the 2015 attack on Ukraine's power grid that left 700,000 residents without electricity for 7 hours.
This document provides an introduction to functional safety and an overview of IEC 61508, an international standard on functional safety. It defines functional safety as safety that depends on a system operating correctly in response to inputs. Functional safety is achieved through safety functions performed by safety-related systems. IEC 61508 provides a framework for achieving functional safety in electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic systems by defining safety integrity levels and requiring safety lifecycle activities like hazard and risk analysis. The standard can be applied directly or serve as the basis for other functional safety standards.
This document discusses trends in threats to SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. It notes that as SCADA systems increasingly use commercial off-the-shelf software and connect to the internet, they have become more vulnerable to cyber threats. The document outlines how SCADA systems work and components like RTUs, PLCs, and HMIs. It also discusses issues like the mistaken belief that SCADA systems are secure due to physical security or isolation from the internet. The conclusion suggests that as capabilities and opportunities for threats increase, the future operational environment will be more vulnerable if an actor emerges with the intent to cause harm.
Privacy Protection in Distributed Industrial Systemiosrjce
IOSR Journal of Computer Engineering (IOSR-JCE) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of computer engineering and its applications. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in computer technology. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
The Radiflow-NEC solution uses two-factor authentication and firewall rules enforced by Radiflow routers to securely limit industrial control system access during remote or on-site maintenance to specific devices and commands. NEC's physical security solutions combine with Radiflow's ruggedized routers to authenticate technicians' identities and continuously monitor their locations, only granting access to the devices and areas necessary to perform maintenance tasks. Any violations of the rules are instantly blocked and alerts are sent to the control center along with network traffic logs and video footage.
The purpose of this paper two fold. First and foremost it presents a background narrative on the origins, innovations and applications of novel structural automation technologies and the rarity of experts involved in research, development and practice of this field. The second part of this paper presents a rudimentary framework for a solution addressing this paucity – the creation of an interdisciplinary academic program at PAAET that will be the first ever in the region to address applied information communication technologies ICT in the design, planning, engineering and management of structural automation projects. In doing so, we need also to define the level of implementation. This field, as all fields in ICT, have been loosely defined and most applications carry less weight in its implementation than what should be applied. This paper gives an attempt to define an indexing scheme by which we can easily classify such implementation and generate a ranking by which we can safely define its level of ―Intelligence‖.International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) is an open access online peer reviewed international journal that publishes research and review articles in the fields of Computer Science, Neural Networks, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastic Engineering, Food Technology, Textile Engineering, Nano Technology & science, Power Electronics, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computational mathematics, Image processing, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, VLSI Testing & Low Power VLSI Design etc.
This document provides an overview of cyber security challenges for industrial control systems (ICS) and introduces Darktrace's Industrial Immune System as an innovative solution. The key points are:
1) ICS networks face growing threats as they increasingly connect to corporate IT networks and the internet, but existing defenses like firewalls are inadequate. Attacks have caused damage at facilities like power plants and a German steel mill.
2) Darktrace's system implements a real-time "immune system" that analyzes network behavior to establish a baseline and detect anomalies, allowing threats to be identified early before they cause disruption.
3) Unlike rule-based systems, Darktrace adapts over time and can detect "unknown unknown"
Este documento analiza la relación entre la nanotecnología y la ingeniería civil. Explica cómo los nanomateriales están mejorando materiales de construcción al ofrecer mayor resistencia, durabilidad y eficiencia. También discute los posibles riesgos ambientales y de salud de los nanomateriales y la necesidad de evaluar su ciclo de vida. El objetivo es investigar los avances de la nanotecnología en la ingeniería civil y sus beneficios potenciales para el medio ambiente.
This document discusses different types of listening. It defines listening as receiving and reacting to messages from communication senders. It then describes 8 types of listening: relationship listening, informative listening, listening with care and criticism, appreciative listening, discriminative listening, sympathetic listening, empathetic listening, and therapeutic listening. For each type of listening, it provides a brief explanation of when and how that type of listening is used.
- The smart grid extends power systems into homes and businesses, creating new security challenges as critical infrastructure connects to less secure networks.
- We need accurate models of the smart grid that consider both cyber and physical pathways between components in order to understand vulnerabilities and identify security weaknesses across the integrated system.
- A federated approach is needed to both secure the smart grid and model its complex interactions, as the system spans multiple organizations with critical and non-critical functions that must be isolated despite sharing physical infrastructure.
Smart Grid Systems Based Survey on Cyber Security IssuesjournalBEEI
The future power system will be an innovative administration of existing power grids, which is called smart grid. Above all, the application of advanced communication and computing tools is going to significantly improve the productivity and consistency of smart grid systems with renewable energy resources. Together with the topographies of the smart grid, cyber security appears as a serious concern since a huge number of automatic devices are linked through communication networks. Cyber attacks on those devices had a direct influence on the reliability of extensive infrastructure of the power system. In this survey, several published works related to smart grid system vulnerabilities, potential intentional attacks, and suggested countermeasures for these threats have been investigated.
Webinar - Reducing the Risk of a Cyber Attack on UtilitiesWPICPE
Jim Girouard, Sr. Product Development Manager at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, outlines the growing menace of cyber attacks on utility companies and how to educate yourself to reduce risk.
Smart grids is an added communication capabilities and intelligence to traditional grids,smart grids are enabled by Intelligent sensors and actuators, Extended data management system,Expanded two way communication between utility operation system facilities and customers,Network security ,National integration ,Self healing and adaptive –Improve distribution and transmission system operation,Allow customers freedom to purchase power based on dynamic pricing ,Improved quality of power-less wastage ,Integration of large variety of generation options.
We have seen the more complex and critical infrastructure the more vulnerable they are. From the Year of 1994 we have seen lots of incidents where SmartGrid were Hacked the latest and booming incident was Stuxnet Worm which targeted Nuclear Power System of Iran and Worldwide.There are different types of Attacks we will see. Security needed for Smart Grid.
This document summarizes a research paper that proposes a design for a secure, Wi-Fi integrated electricity meter called an Impregnable Device for Secured Metering (IDSM). The IDSM consists of a sophisticated meter with additional security features compared to traditional meters. It uses Wi-Fi communication, a microcontroller, and a centralized monitoring and control unit. Random number addressing cryptography (RAC) is chosen as the most secure encryption technique. The meter in each home connects via a wireless network to a server that calculates billing amounts and sends updates to be displayed on the home meter, reducing labor while increasing transparency. The design aims to provide secure communication at high speeds with an advanced metering system and unique database backend.
An efficient key management system is required to support cryptography. Most key management systems use either pre-installed shared keys or install initial security parameters using out-of-band channels. These methods create an additional burden for engineers who manage the devices in industrial plants. Hence, device deployment in industrial plants becomes a challenging task in order to achieve security. In this work, we present a device deployment framework that can support key management using the existing trust towards employees in a plant. This approach reduces the access to initial security parameters by employees; rather it helps to bind the trust of the employee with device commissioning. Thus, this approach presents a unique solution to the device deployment problem. Further, through a proof-of-concept implementation and security analysis using the AVISPA tool, we present that our framework is feasible to implement and satisfies our security objectives.
EMPLOYEE TRUST BASED INDUSTRIAL DEVICE DEPLOYMENT AND INITIAL KEY ESTABLISHMENTIJNSA Journal
The document proposes a framework for deploying and establishing initial keys for devices in industrial plants. It leverages the existing trust in employees to simplify the process. The framework uses an employee management system to issue identity cards to trusted commissioning engineers. When deploying a new device, an engineer's identity card is used to transfer their trust to the device. This allows the device to securely join the plant network without requiring manual key entry or distribution of secret keys. The framework is designed to work with devices of varying capabilities and without direct connections to central management systems. A proof-of-concept implementation and security analysis show the framework can feasibly establish initial trust during device deployment.
Security Issues in SCADA based Industrial Control Systems aswanthmrajeev112
This document discusses security concerns in industrial control systems. It provides an overview of industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA systems, which are widely used to control infrastructure systems. It outlines several vulnerabilities in ICS, including issues with legacy systems not being designed with modern cybersecurity threats in mind. Specific threats like zero-day vulnerabilities, non-prioritized tasks, and database/communication protocol issues are examined. The conclusion states that additional digital security techniques are needed to protect critical infrastructure control systems.
Augmentation of a SCADA based firewall against foreign hacking devices IJECEIAES
This document summarizes a research paper that implemented a SCADA-based firewall to protect data transmission from external hacking devices. The paper first discusses a case study where an industrial control system was hacked 46 times. It then provides an overview of industrial firewalls and the differences between industrial and IT firewalls. The paper describes configuring a Tofino industrial firewall with SCADA-HMI and PLC assets. It tests the firewall by simulating scenarios without and with the firewall, showing the firewall prevents an attacker from accessing the PLC simulator based on communication protocols. The paper concludes customized industrial firewalls are needed and protocols must be regularly updated as cyber attacks evolve.
This document discusses the cyber security risks of smart grids and proposes an integrated security framework to address these risks. Smart grids integrate information infrastructure with electrical infrastructure, improving performance but also increasing vulnerability to cyber attacks. The framework features security agents, managed security switches, and a security manager to provide layered protection, intrusion detection, and access control across the power automation network in a scalable and extensible manner. This integrated approach is needed as power systems have different security needs than traditional IT networks.
The document discusses cyber security threats to the US power grid. It notes that the power grid consists of over 300,000 km of transmission lines operated by 500 companies. Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure like the power grid are increasing in frequency and sophistication, which could have severe consequences. For example, a DDoS attack costing just $40 could overwhelm network links and cause a blackout. The document also provides examples of past cyber attacks on energy systems like Stuxnet and the 2015 attack on Ukraine's power grid that left 700,000 residents without electricity for 7 hours.
This document provides an introduction to functional safety and an overview of IEC 61508, an international standard on functional safety. It defines functional safety as safety that depends on a system operating correctly in response to inputs. Functional safety is achieved through safety functions performed by safety-related systems. IEC 61508 provides a framework for achieving functional safety in electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic systems by defining safety integrity levels and requiring safety lifecycle activities like hazard and risk analysis. The standard can be applied directly or serve as the basis for other functional safety standards.
This document discusses trends in threats to SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. It notes that as SCADA systems increasingly use commercial off-the-shelf software and connect to the internet, they have become more vulnerable to cyber threats. The document outlines how SCADA systems work and components like RTUs, PLCs, and HMIs. It also discusses issues like the mistaken belief that SCADA systems are secure due to physical security or isolation from the internet. The conclusion suggests that as capabilities and opportunities for threats increase, the future operational environment will be more vulnerable if an actor emerges with the intent to cause harm.
Privacy Protection in Distributed Industrial Systemiosrjce
IOSR Journal of Computer Engineering (IOSR-JCE) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of computer engineering and its applications. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in computer technology. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
The Radiflow-NEC solution uses two-factor authentication and firewall rules enforced by Radiflow routers to securely limit industrial control system access during remote or on-site maintenance to specific devices and commands. NEC's physical security solutions combine with Radiflow's ruggedized routers to authenticate technicians' identities and continuously monitor their locations, only granting access to the devices and areas necessary to perform maintenance tasks. Any violations of the rules are instantly blocked and alerts are sent to the control center along with network traffic logs and video footage.
The purpose of this paper two fold. First and foremost it presents a background narrative on the origins, innovations and applications of novel structural automation technologies and the rarity of experts involved in research, development and practice of this field. The second part of this paper presents a rudimentary framework for a solution addressing this paucity – the creation of an interdisciplinary academic program at PAAET that will be the first ever in the region to address applied information communication technologies ICT in the design, planning, engineering and management of structural automation projects. In doing so, we need also to define the level of implementation. This field, as all fields in ICT, have been loosely defined and most applications carry less weight in its implementation than what should be applied. This paper gives an attempt to define an indexing scheme by which we can easily classify such implementation and generate a ranking by which we can safely define its level of ―Intelligence‖.International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) is an open access online peer reviewed international journal that publishes research and review articles in the fields of Computer Science, Neural Networks, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastic Engineering, Food Technology, Textile Engineering, Nano Technology & science, Power Electronics, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computational mathematics, Image processing, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, VLSI Testing & Low Power VLSI Design etc.
This document provides an overview of cyber security challenges for industrial control systems (ICS) and introduces Darktrace's Industrial Immune System as an innovative solution. The key points are:
1) ICS networks face growing threats as they increasingly connect to corporate IT networks and the internet, but existing defenses like firewalls are inadequate. Attacks have caused damage at facilities like power plants and a German steel mill.
2) Darktrace's system implements a real-time "immune system" that analyzes network behavior to establish a baseline and detect anomalies, allowing threats to be identified early before they cause disruption.
3) Unlike rule-based systems, Darktrace adapts over time and can detect "unknown unknown"
Este documento analiza la relación entre la nanotecnología y la ingeniería civil. Explica cómo los nanomateriales están mejorando materiales de construcción al ofrecer mayor resistencia, durabilidad y eficiencia. También discute los posibles riesgos ambientales y de salud de los nanomateriales y la necesidad de evaluar su ciclo de vida. El objetivo es investigar los avances de la nanotecnología en la ingeniería civil y sus beneficios potenciales para el medio ambiente.
This document discusses different types of listening. It defines listening as receiving and reacting to messages from communication senders. It then describes 8 types of listening: relationship listening, informative listening, listening with care and criticism, appreciative listening, discriminative listening, sympathetic listening, empathetic listening, and therapeutic listening. For each type of listening, it provides a brief explanation of when and how that type of listening is used.
SECTA MISION FAMILIAR INTERNACIONAL DEL FALSO APOSTOL PEPE DELGADOJose Baca
El falso apostol Pepe Delgado y sus seudo pastores de la Misión Familiar Internacional quieren propiedades del Estado para seguir lucrando con la fe de los peruanos
MFI es una secta basada en negocio de modelo piramidal que aprovecha la fe de los peruanos para satisfacer su ambición por el dinero
2º Corintios 11:13-15, “Porque éstos son falsos apóstoles .. que se disfrazaron como apóstoles de Cristo... "
El documento presenta información sobre varias instituciones educativas en la región de Pasco, Perú. Habla sobre el Colegio Alfred Nobel - PASCO y su objetivo de formar líderes para el país. También menciona la Escuela Primaria 35002 ZOILA AMORETTI DE ODRIA y el Colegio Particular Integrado en Cerro de Pasco. Finalmente, brinda detalles sobre el reconocido centro educativo Columna Pasco y el importante Colegio Fiscalizado Ricardo Palma.
CYBER SECURITY TRANDS FOR FUTURE SMART GRID SYSTEMSGeorge Wainblat
SUMMARY - Current power grids increasingly emerging into smart networked grids and are more accessible from the public internet which poses new cyber threats in the grid. More computer based systems are introduced into power networks in order to monitor and control the network. Future model smart grid and micro grid systems will be based on data flows for communication of system status, usage and control throughout the network infrastructure in addition to the power flow. This creates new security threats on the power grid. Instead of relying mainly on power plants for power generation, there will be a combination of multiple generation sources and at the same time wider use of electrical computer based equipment by consumers. Both increase the amount of data flows in the network as well as introduce additional vulnerable spots. Vulnerability of the power grid to cyber-attacks increases even more because of the wide use of SCADA networks. SCADA networks are more accessible to the internet and lack authentication and authorization mechanisms therefore expose the grid to threats such as DDOS, Data interception, Data alteration and additional hacking threats.
The transition from present to future model has already begun and rapidly growing while it already poses new security challenges which must be attended immediately. It is essential to introduce immediately a single comprehensive security solution which will provide fast detection and prevention tools to cope with a variety of threats with different nature and from multiple sources. The solution should not be tightly coupled with each device in the network so it won’t require upgrade of the devices inside the grid.
The Cyber defense solution should be versatile using variety of cyber technologies such as Firewalls, anomaly detection, Big Data analytics, machine learning and more in a network wise combination.
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) are applications that collect data from a system in order to automate the monitoring and controlling of its activities. Several industrial fields such as, electric utilities, water supplies and buildings' facilities have already adopted SCADA systems to increase the efficiency and reduce cost. However, the IT community is concerned about the level of security that any applied SCADA system provides. This paper concentrates on the major security threats encountered in SCADA systems. In addition, it discusses a new proposed methodology in order to increase the system security with minimal impact on efficiency. The proposed scheme provides several security services which are mutual authentication, confidentiality, data integrity and accountability.
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) are applications that collect data from a system in order to automate the monitoring and controlling of its activities. Several industrial fields such as, electric utilities, water supplies and buildings’ facilities have already adopted SCADA systems to increase the efficiency and reduce cost. However, the IT community is concerned about the level of security that any applied SCADA system provides. This paper concentrates on the major security threats encountered in SCADA systems. In addition, it discusses a new proposed methodology in order to increase the system security with minimal impact on efficiency. The proposed scheme provides several security services which are mutual authentication, confidentiality, data integrity and accountability.
DEEP LEARNING FOR SMART GRID INTRUSION DETECTION: A HYBRID CNN-LSTM-BASED MODELijaia
As digital technology becomes more deeply embedded in power systems, protecting the communication
networks of Smart Grids (SG) has emerged as a critical concern. Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3)
represents a multi-tiered application layer protocol extensively utilized in Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA)-based smart grids to facilitate real-time data gathering and control functionalities.
Robust Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are necessary for early threat detection and mitigation because
of the interconnection of these networks, which makes them vulnerable to a variety of cyberattacks. To
solve this issue, this paper develops a hybrid Deep Learning (DL) model specifically designed for intrusion
detection in smart grids. The proposed approach is a combination of the Convolutional Neural Network
(CNN) and the Long-Short-Term Memory algorithms (LSTM). We employed a recent intrusion detection
dataset (DNP3), which focuses on unauthorized commands and Denial of Service (DoS) cyberattacks, to
train and test our model. The results of our experiments show that our CNN-LSTM method is much better
at finding smart grid intrusions than other deep learning algorithms used for classification. In addition,
our proposed approach improves accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score, achieving a high detection
accuracy rate of 99.50%.
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accuracy rate of 99.50%.
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This document proposes a novel standalone implementation of a multi-deep neural network (MDNN) controller for DC-DC converters that is resilient to sensor attacks. The MDNN controller combines a deep neural network (DNN) controller and an error detection network (EDN) to detect and mitigate false data injection attacks at the sensor level. The MDNN controller is tested in MATLAB simulations under various disturbances and attack scenarios, demonstrating its effectiveness in maintaining closed-loop control of the DC-DC converter while detecting and mitigating sensor attacks. This approach eliminates the need for traditional proportional-integral controllers and provides a model-free methodology to securely and robustly control the converter against sensor attacks and system variations.
This document summarizes a research paper that models the reliability of a cyber-physical system (CPS) with intrusion detection and response systems. It describes the reference CPS model, which includes mobile sensor nodes and a control unit. It also outlines the security failure models, attack models including persistent, random and insidious attackers, and the host-level and system-level intrusion detection techniques used. These include behavior rule specification and vector similarity specification for host detection, and majority voting for system detection. Parameters for the detection accuracy are defined. The goal is to maximize CPS lifetime by setting detection and response strengths to balance energy usage and intrusion tolerance.
This document summarizes a research paper that proposes a design for a secure and sophisticated electricity meter called an Impregnable Device for Secured Metering (IDSM). The IDSM uses a microcontroller integrated with a smart meter to securely transmit power consumption data via a legacy Wi-Fi system. Random number addressing cryptography (RAC) is used for encryption due to its high speed, low power usage, and security. The IDSM system connects individual household meters to a centralized server that calculates billing amounts and sends updates back to the meters for display. The goal is to provide secure metering and billing that reduces human error and electricity theft while lowering costs.
Presentation from the EPRI-Sandia Symposium on Secure and Resilient Microgrids: Cyber Security R&D for Microgrids, presented by Jason Stamp, Sandia National Laboratories, Baltimore, MD, August 29-31, 2016.
A Defense-in-depth Cybersecurity for Smart SubstationsIJECEIAES
The increase of cyber-attacks on industrial and power systems in the recent years make the cybersecurity of supervisory control and data acquisition and substation automation systemsa high important engineering issue. This paper proposes a defense in depth cybersecurity solution for smart substations in different layers of the substation automation system. In fact, it presents possible vulnerabilities in the substation automation system and propose a multiple layer solution based on best practice in cyber security such as the hardening ofdevices, whitelisting, network configuration, network segmentation, role-based account management and cyber security management and deployement.
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Cyber-Defensive Architecture for Networked Industrial Control Systems
1. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 1
Cyber-Defensive Architecture for Networked
Industrial Control Systems
Charles Kim
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Howard University
Washington DC, USA
Abstract—This paper deals with the inevitable consequence of
the convenience and efficiency we benefit from the open,
networked control system operation of safety-critical
applications: vulnerability to such system from cyber-attacks.
Even with numerous metrics and methods for intrusion
detection and mitigation strategy, a complete detection and
deterrence of internal code flaws and outside cyber-attacks
has not been found and would not be found anytime soon.
Considering the ever incompleteness of detection and
prevention and the impact and consequence of mal-functions
of the safety-critical operations caused by cyber incidents,
this paper proposes a new computer control system
architecture which assures resiliency even under
compromised situations. The proposed architecture is
centered on diversification of hardware systems and
unidirectional communication from the proposed system in
alerting suspicious activities to upper layers. This paper
details the architectural structure of the proposed cyber
defensive computer control system architecture for power
substation applications and its validation in lab
experimentation and on a cybersecurity testbed.
Keywords- Component; Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition System, Smart Grid, Power Substation,
Cybersecurity, Diversification, Testbed.
I. INTRODUCTION
Cyber incidences are ever increasing as they are
expanded from simple bragging intrusion to monetary gains
and exploitation to trading secret stealth and to military and
national security espionage. One important area in the
cyber incidences in which public are not keenly aware of is
networked embedded computer systems for intelligent and
autonomous control and processing applications including,
but not limited to, smart power grid, water treatment and
distribution systems, petro-chemical plants and refineries,
and mobile and home automation systems, termed combined
as Internet of Things (IoT).
The widely adopted IoT on open network architecture
provides the benefit of economy of operation; however,
unfortunately, it opens the door for unintended threats
including malicious code manipulation, data gathering, and
unauthorized intrusions into the network. A successful
intrusion would allow attacks on operator consoles, and
harmful access into control functions which would
consequently disrupt normal operations and thus pose a
public safety threat.
Presently, the hardening of system is heavily focused on
the cyber security for information systems connected to the
Internet, and there are numerous strategies and tools
available, and are under development. Anomaly and
intrusion detection, network access behavior analysis,
modeling approach, mitigation are just a few of them.
Understanding attack vectors is essential to building
effective security mitigation strategies. Attack vectors
include viruses, e-mail attachments, Web pages, pop-up
windows, instant messages, and deception.
There are several common countermeasures proposed
against attack vectors [1]. They include: (i) development
and review of security policies; (ii) employment of blocking
access to resources and services on the network; (iii)
enactment and monitoring of detection of intrusion and
malicious activities, (iv) implementation of mitigation
against possible attacks, and (v) application of continuous
fixing, upgrade, and patch the software vulnerability.
However, the countermeasures developed from metrics
can block some attack vectors but are not totally attack-
proof. They are backward-looking metrics and measures,
analyzing only after an incident with subsequent damage
has already occurred. Therefore, the metrics and measures
and mitigations developed for the Internet and computer
networks may not be effective in dealing with unknown
malwares and vulnerabilities specifically targeted for safety-
and mission-critical control system applications. The
Stuxnet malware attack to an Iranian nuclear facility
demonstrates that the reality of the vulnerability of safety-
critical systems to cyber-attack is real, and that there will be
dire consequences to critical infrastructure if such cyber
threats are not detected and mitigated properly and timely
[2].
Considering the impact and consequence of mal-
functions in the safety-critical applications caused by cyber
incidents, this paper proposes an architectural change in the
way components are structured so that a networked control
system becomes cyber-defensive and resilient even under
2. Charles Kim International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 2
compromised situations. The proposed system aims to be
insensitive to variations in inputs, processes, and outputs of
cyber contents. The proposed defensive architecture is
centered on diversification of hardware systems and
unidirectional communication to the energy management
system for alerting suspicious activities. The rationale of
the architectural approach against cyber threats is the plain
truth that it is impossible to predict cyber events throughout
the computer control system‟s lifecycle, and that detection
and mitigations strategies may be good for old and known
malwares and viruses only [3]. Therefore, the methodology
used in the proposed cyber-defensive architecture for power
substation control systems focuses, assuming that an attack
will occur, on designing a system that is robust enough in its
response so that the effect of an attack will be minimal and
the power substation can continue in serving customers and
in protecting power systems [4].
The paper is organized as follows. In the next section,
we discuss about the present computer control systems
deployed in a power substation and their vulnerabilities.
Then, we detail the proposed architectural approach with
hardware and software diversity to be insensitive to the
cyber inputs and activities, which would results in cyber-
robust and cyber-resilient systems. After that, validation of
the new architecture is examined on a cybersecurity testbed
and in lab experimentation. Then, we conclude the paper.
II. VULNERABILITY OF INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS
Over the past several years, power substation systems
have become highly sophisticated in structure and operation,
featuring various types of intelligent devices that allow
advanced operation and control functions. Computer and
communication technologies have transformed stand-alone
computerized control systems to Internet-connected smart
grid control systems. The smart-grid network provides a
great benefit of situation awareness, data collection and
analysis for operational efficiency, and coordination of
automation and restoration of power networks [5].
A lot of the devices that constitute these smart systems
are seen commonly more demanding sectors. Common
examples of these devices include smart meters, phasor
measurement units, and sensors (voltage and current
monitors) and actuators (circuit breaker openers/closers).
These “intelligent electronic devices (IEDs)” are networked,
as remote terminal units (RTUs) of a supervisory control
and data acquisition (SCADA) system, which in turn is
connected to an enterprise network or energy management
system from which engineers are allowed to operate IEDs
and, when necessary, control request or resolve their
problems. The advantages afforded by remote access has
necessitated the use of Internet and wireless networks, and
subsequently, SCADA networks are no longer “air-gapped”
but are usually connected to their corporate network and
internet through a firewall. This relatively open connectivity
has in turn resulted in an increase in security vulnerabilities
[6].
To illustrate a sample of the vulnerabilities of the current
control and protection system in power substation, a
representative diagram is given as Fig. 1. The diagram
highlights a simplified representation of a power substation
with a communication network (CN) server and a
computer/digital relay is disposed for a circuit breaker
operation. The enterprise-level energy management system
(EMS) is connected to the substation via the Internet. The
CN device connects the substation systems to the Internet
where all of the engineering staff can login and access the
system. The EMS monitors multiple substations via the
Internet, and the flexibility of the network allows engineers
to control and monitor the relay system from off site.
Figure 1. Simplified Representation of Present Power Substation System.
A current sensor (S) is attached to the relay, and based
on the sensor reading, the relay can open the circuit breaker
(CB) by sending a command signal to the CB actuator when
it is necessary or in an emergency. The relay is built on a
computer with a standard operating system such as
Windows that executes a program that is coded for specific
functions and features. When the relay is programmed as an
overcurrent protective device, if the sensed current level is
higher than a threshold, it would generate an “Open” signal
for the CB actuator. It is assumed for our discussion that the
relay is an overcurrent computer relay. In addition, a
standard desktop computer labeled as „Manager‟ with a
designated operating system is connected to the relay via the
Internet. This allows the individual responsible for
overseeing the proper functioning of the system to manage
and control the relay, should the need arises.
Now consider cyber vulnerabilities of the substation
depicted in Fig. 1. First, the Internet connection represents a
possible entry point for hackers to infiltrate the system. If a
hacker can gather the appropriate login credentials of the
communication network server, he/she can possibly gain
access to the relay and alter its operating state. Once that
party is logged into this system, they have free reign to
enact whatever change they please, which we are assuming
is to damage the system in some way. Any alteration to the
relay may have major repercussions for the substation and
the consumers served by the substation. It would also have a
direct effect on surrounding substations as the load of the
compromised substation would have to be redistributed
amongst its neighbors. This possibility recalls the Federal
3. Charles Kim International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 3
Energy Regulatory Commission‟s finding that the U. S.
could suffer a coast-to-coast blackout if just 9 out of the
country‟s 55,000 transmission substations are knocked out
on a scorching summer day [7].
III. CYBER-DEFENSIVE ARCHITECTURE
As mentioned above, there exist vulnerabilities in the
present power substation and its network, and the
countermeasures developed from the presently employed
metrics are not attack-proof. Moreover, metrics and
measures and mitigations developed for the Internet and
computer networks may not be effective in dealing with
unknown malwares specifically targeted for safety- and
mission-critical control system applications. Even dynamic
and learnable measures and metrics cannot possibly detect
all and, particularly, unknown and new malwares and their
tactics. Therefore there is a demand to make computer
control systems robust against cyber threats and resilient
under such cyber-attacks.
The proposed architectural approach aims to be cyber-
insensitive, and the logic of the proposed defensive
architecture is grounded in the concept of software and
hardware redundancy/diversity and of utilization of
unidirectional network connection. More specifically, the
architecture is the result of combining the standard
principles of diversified redundant hardware and software
for defense-in-depth into a very efficient supplementary
system that can integrate with the general structure of the
systems currently in use.
A. Diversified Redundancy and Defensive Architecture
The use of redundancy design techniques is already an
accepted practice when trying to address fault and failure
scenarios in software and hardware. For example, most data
is typically backed up to secondary storage spaces and
synced as often as possible to ensure minimal to no
operational disturbance in most industries. Also, critical
manufacturing or generation processes are built with
redundant hardware measures to allow easy replacement,
repair and maintenance.
Redundancy is effective, but if a machine fails due to a
virus attack, for example, then even the redundant machines
will be susceptible to the same virus, if they are of the same
hardware and software version. This common-cause failure
would most likely damage both machines. If, however, the
redundant machine has different hardware specifications,
there is much greater probability that the redundant machine
would survive against the same problem which has caused
the primary machine to transition into a fail state. This
difference in hardware (and software) is called diversity.
Design diversity has also been a tried and true method
employed to add a layer of protection to critical systems by
protecting redundancy systems from such common-mode
failures. Its range of application is vast and its representation
can be in the form of software variants to actual physical
design differences between primary systems and their
redundancy counterparts.
A representative model of the proposed system
architecture is illustrated in Fig. 2. In the proposed design,
alongside the existing primary computer/digital relay
(“RELAY”), there is secondary digital relay that functions,
in sensing the current level and generating a signal for CB
operation, identical to the existing one but built on different
hardware such as field programmable gate array (FPGA)
and run on a completely different software environment
(“FPGA”). Unlike in the existing system, the CB operation
signals from the two relays are monitored and selected by a
supervising computer system (“SUPERVISOR”) which is
built on a PC or a hard-wire system; therefore, the
SUPERVISOR is in charge of the eventual control of the
CB. As in the existing substation, the primary RELAY is
connected to the communications network (CN), while the
secondary FPGA is remained not connected to any network.
The SUPERVISOR is separated from the
Communication Network, and reads the CB control signal
outputs of both relays and decides if either one is erroneous
or not by conferring with a database server which contains
data readings collected at the sensors and the corresponding
CB operations over an extended period of operational hours.
Under regular operating conditions, there should be near
perfect correlation for given sensed value between the CB
control signal generated by the two relays and the cached
CB operational mode in the database server.
Figure 2. Defensive Architecture for Power Substation System.
In the event that the SUPERVISOR finds an
inconsistency between the CB signal of the primary RELAY
and the database, for example, it gives the CB operational
control to the secondary FPGA relay which produces the
correct signal. At the same time, it sends a warning
message to the EMS via a unidirectional fiber network (FN)
as this is indicative of the primary RELAY being possibly
compromised, to alert the management personnel of the
state of the system. The importance and distinct advantage
of using unidirectional network connection is the fact that
this new system at no point is required to receive and act on
requests [10]. Hence, the integrity of alerting is preserved
and the possibility of communication related intrusions such
as Denial of Service (DoS) attacks is inherently prohibited.
4. Charles Kim International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 4
B. Qualitative Assessment
Before we validate the new approach, let‟s do qualitative
assessment of the new architecture on its claimed strength
against cyber-attacks under a few instances, all feasible
within the environment of power substation operations.
First, we consider the presence of a common computer virus
which gains entry into the system via a negligent substation
engineer. Under these circumstances, the operation of the
primary RELAY becomes compromised. The secondary
FPGA relay on the other hand, by way of design diversity
remains unaffected. Even in the instance of viruses that have
the ability propagate across networks, the difference in
programming methodology between the two relays grants
mutual exclusion in the case of software attacks, eliminating
the threat of common-cause virus infections.
The next attack scenario considered is a theoretically
attempted man-in-the-middle attack. This scenario involves
attacks in which access credentials are mined from
unsuspecting parties. In this case, it is difficult to determine
if the system is under attack because the information used to
gain unauthorized access to the system is indeed legitimate.
Therefore, changes can be made to the primary RELAY
without any intrusion indicators being set off. But even in
this highly compromised state, by virtue of the comparison
check that occurs continuously at the SUPERVISOR, any
changes or discrepancies generated by the intruder are
flagged, and controlling of the substation functions is
committed to the secondary FPGA relay.
Another considered scenario is an event of common
hardware and software failures. Hardware failures in this
context refer to incidents such as purposeful or accidental
physical damage and hardware component faults, which
cause eventual failure. The proposed architecture ensures
that in case of damage to the primary RELAY, the
secondary FPGA relay can function autonomously not being
susceptible to common-mode hardware failure. This ensures
that the service is maintained until the proper repair and
replacement procedures can be carried out. While the
probability of simultaneous failure of both the primary and
secondary relays of the proposed system exists, it is
theoretical and very small.
The last scenario we consider for qualitative assessment
is with a mode of attack employed by a Stuxnet-like worm
in its various iterations. The Stuxnet worm is a program that
was developed to target specific industrial software on a
specific brand of equipment in a plant [2]. This type of
specialized attack is hard to defend from because it relies on
targeting and exploiting certain vulnerabilities in the
operating system. Fortunately, the design diversity afforded
by the new system structure acts as a functional safeguard.
Having both relays run on very different software and
hardware architectures ensures that whatever damage is
done is limited to the primary RELAY. The new solution
architecture upgrades the existing system to a multi-tiered,
cooperative system in which desired relaying functions are
kept intact all the time fulfilling the response robustness
required of systems that handle such critical task as power
substation control and management.
To verify the feasibility and viability of the proposed
architectural solution, two approaches are employed:
simulation on a cybersecurity testbed and experimentation
with hardware components. In both validation approaches,
the representative models of the existing power substation
system and the new defensive-architecture system are
implemented in a network simulator and in a system of
microcontrollers and FPGA, respectively. Then, the two
models are subjected to the same attack conditions and the
each response is recorded and analyzed. The testbed
simulation is discussed in the next section, and the hardware
lab experimentation follows in the section after the next.
IV. VALIDATION IN TESTBED EXPERIMENTATION
To accomplish verification via software simulation, a
testbed known as DeterLab (cyber DEfense Technology
Experimental Research Laboratory) is utilized. DeterLab is
a facility for scientists engaged in new cybersecurity
technologies. The Deter Team works with subject matter
experts in specific areas of cybersecurity or critical
infrastructure protection, and the DeterLab is a part of the
work which provides real world capability to research,
develop, discover, experiment on and test cyber defense
technologies [9]. Approved users can access DeterLab‟s
advanced resources and tools, and perform repeated,
verifiable experiments. DeterLab provides over 400
computer nodes, with up to 10 network interfaces per node,
each of which can support multiple apparatus elements by
using virtualization techniques that support the
experimenters‟ goals [10].
A. Existing Control System Experimentation
To demonstrate the vulnerabilities in the existing system
of Fig. 1, we model the network topology as Fig. 3. The
DeterLab evaluation begins with conceptualizing the model
of the simplified primary Relay. The model is then created
in DeterLab after which a user interface is created in
DeterLab. A remote administrative tool (RAT) is used to
show how an intruder can infiltrate the system and change
Relay configuration files on the EMS. The RAT is
classified as a virus called Trojan horse program, a malware
which by itself is not capable of automatically spreading to
other systems. Trojans are usually downloaded from the
Internet and installed by unsuspecting users. They typically
carry payloads or other malicious actions that range from
the mildly annoying to the irreparably destructive. They
may modify system settings to start automatically [11]. As
shown in Fig. 3, the model consists of an EMS, Intruder and
Engineer nodes connected to the internet. The primary,
networked Relay is connected to the internet through a
Router (or firewall not shown).
In the topology of Fig. 3, since this is a virtual
environment, all nodes are reserved with Class-A IP
addresses. Although, in the DeterLab representation, each
device in the substation has an IP address, only the EMS is
part of the TCP/IP network, with the address 10.1.1.2. The
Sensor and the Circuit breaker, not shown, are physically
connected to the Relay without communicating directly to
the Router.
5. Charles Kim International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 5
Figure 3. DeterLab Reprentation of the Existing Control System.
Other notable hosts include the Intruder node with an IP
address of 10.1.1.5 and the Engineer with and address of
10.1.1.3. The Intruder and Engineer nodes are added to
represent a hacker and an engineer in order to stage an
attack, respectively. The Intruder in particular is added to
simulate an ill-intentioned individual who wants to gain
unauthorized control over the system. In order to do this, the
Intruder may use a RAT. There are various types of RATs
available, and most of them are made to be used with the
consent from the owner of the controlled computer, but for
our purpose, we will assume no permission is granted.
Although various RATs are used for a range of purposes,
their structure remains the same: it has both a client
(installed on the intruder‟s machine) and a server module
(installed on the victim‟s machine). The server has a process
that initializes as the system boots up and keeps running in
the background, waiting for the client to connect. When the
intruder wants to remotely manage or control the server, he
just launches the client on his machine. If the remote
computer is powered up and connected to the Internet, then
controlling is possible.
This DeterLab simulation considers the situation where
a negligent engineer or manager, who has the authority to
access the EMS computer remotely, executes a program that
covertly installs the server module of the RAT on his
computer. Although most antiviruses easily flag these kinds
of files, there are some techniques to make them fully
undetectable. However, we will not cover them in this
article. Instead, let us suppose the user has no updated anti-
virus software installed on his machine and/or the hacker
has encrypted his server on purpose.
By using PuTTY to create a tunnel and forwarding the
desired ports (local 6789 to remote 3389), it is possible to
connect to the nodes at DeterLab using remote desktop
connection on Windows. In order to gain this control, the
hacker must force the user to execute a file that will
automatically install the server module. He can do it by
using techniques known as social engineering, that is, by
persuading the user to download and execute the file.
Considering that the RAT is a Trojan which can be
disguised as a legitimate software component, if the Trojan's
configuration complies with the substation network, it will
silently enable the remote control, without the victim's
(engineer or manager) consent or acknowledgment. On
whichever machine the file is run, either the EMS or the
Manager/Engineer‟s computer, it will install the server
module. Once connected, the hacker can easily modify any
file in the remote system. The RAT used in this network
gives the user the possibility to download, modify and
upload a file on the host computer. In other words, in power
substation, software for controlling the Relay and for
activating CB can be modified without the operator's
noticing.
To demonstrate how the modification of the threshold
value for CB opening by attacks changes the CB signal from
the Relay, a user interface is developed using Visual Basic
on the EMS. For the interface, since the current sensor
cannot be included in the network topology, the reading
from the sensor is entered manually, and the CB operational
threshold (“HIGH” as illustrated of the interface in Fig. 4) is
stored in a file on the primary Relay. Under a compromised
situation via RAT attack, the setting for HIGH may be
changed from 200 to 150, for example. Then, even under
the normal current level of 180 at which the circuit breaker
normally remains closed allowing power supply to the
customer, the Relay sends out OPEN signal to the CB by the
altered threshold of HIGH to150 from 200.
Figure 4. Response of the Network Relay by the RAT attack.
The illustration made above is a common type of cyber-
attack and currently infects thousands of computers around
the world. A hacker can easily adapt this tool to infect IEDs
from someone who possesses high privileges in an electric
power company. The executable file can be encrypted or
bended to other file or spread through other known means in
order to reach its final target. Therefore, it is important not
to depend on a single machine to control critical devices like
digital protective relays, neither is it recommended to trust
people with low awareness on the critical importance of
cyber-security to operate this kind of equipment.
B. Defesnive-Architecture Experimentation
The DeterLab simulation for the proposed architecture
is performed similarly. First, a model is conceptualized for
the new architecture which includes a non-networked
diversified redundant FPGA relay and SUPERVISOR.
Second, a slightly different user interface is developed to
6. Charles Kim International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 6
display the response of the new system for primary Relay
and secondary FPGA under the same RAT attack and relay
threshold setting file modification. Third, it is shown how
a message is sent from the SUPERVISOR to the EMS and
how unidirectional flow of data is achieved between them.
Fig. 5 illustrates the topology model of the proposed
diversified architecture in the DeterLab. The network
topology is created using six nodes. The EMS is connected
to the Internet. The primary Relay (REL) is connected to
the Internet via a router or firewall (FW1). The other
network in the model is the supervisor network (SN) which
comprises of the SUPERVISOR (SUP) and database
computer (DB). The sensor and the secondary FPGA relay
are non-networked devices and thus are not represented in
the topology, and their values and responses are simulated
by manual entry into the user interface.
Figure 5. DeterLab Representation of the Defensive Architecture.
The same user interface developed for the existing
system simulation is used with a slight revision to
accommodate the secondary relay FPGA as illustrated in
Fig. 6.
Figure 6. User Interface Display under an attack with modifed setting.
The FPGA Relay provides the same functionality as the
primary network relay but with strong immunity against
setting modification due to its hard-code environment. If
the relay setting is changed by the RAT attack with altered
threshold value as done before, from 200 to 150, for
example, for the normal loading condition of 180 A, the
network relay‟s output (“OPEN”) does not match with the
true output (“CLOSE”), and the selection of relays to
control the circuit breaker will be switched to the FPGA
relay with a message of such control transfer. Fig. 6 shows
the switch to FPGA with a message in the user interface.
To demonstrate message delivery from SUPERVISOR
to EMS of the abnormal and suspicious behavior of the
primary network Relay, a socket program in C
programming language is used [12]. The program is written
in two parts: a server (fileserv.exe) and a client
(fileclient.exe). The server accepts a connection from client
through a specific port, receives the file name, creates file
with the given file name, receives the file contents, and
writes the contents to file. On the other hand, the client
connects to the server, sends the file name, and sends the
file contents. For the DeterLab simulation, the server
module is executed on the EMS while the client module is
executed on the SUPERVISOR.
Before executing the program, however, the fileserv.exe
file is saved in a folder where the file is to be executed and
the message is to be created and saved. Similarly, the
fileclient.exe file is saved in a folder where the file is to be
executed and the message is to be copied. In both cases, a
directory called c:reports is created. To execute the
program at the server a DOS command prompt window is
opened and the directory is changed to the c:reports folder.
On the server, the command “fileserv.exe <port number>”
is entered. In this case port number 8907 is used. On the
client, the command “fileclient.exe” <IP address of
destination computer> <port number> <file name> is
entered. In this case, the IP address is 10.1.2.2, 8907 is the
port number, and NetworkRelayDown.txt is the file name.
Now the last subject of discussion is the unidirectional
information transfer from the SUPERVISOR to EMS on
reporting the abnormal and suspicious functioning of the
primary Network Relay. For our simulation, the
unidirectional flow from the SUPERVISOR is set up by
using Windows Firewall to block all the ports except for
port 8907, the port that is used to send the message to the
EMS. All other ports and applications are blocked. The
effect of the Firewall configuration is verified in that a
computer is unable to connect to SUPERVISOR and unable
to ping SUPERVISOR.
C. Discussion on DeterLab Experimentation
Modeling of the existing and the proposed substation
systems are realized in DeterLab environment as network
topologies with corresponding nodes with the Internet and
routers and firewalls. It is shown that with an RAT, it is
possible to gain control of a remote computer and change
7. Charles Kim International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 7
files on a remote computer, and the existing system sends
out an erroneous command to the circuit breaker. On the
other hand, the proposed architecture system demonstrates
how the secondary FPGA is immune to the attack and the
system itself keeps the normal operation mode by the
SUPERVISOR's monitoring while the primary network
relay, impacted by the changed setting, produces a wrong
command to the circuit breaker. In addition, the message is
successfully sent from the SUPERVISOR to the EMS using
a socket program through TCP. This is achieved by
manually triggering the program and setting the port
number through which the message is sent. Unidirectional
flow from the SUPERVISOR to the EMS is partially
achieved using Windows Firewall blocking all other ports
except for port 8907. However, the software is limited in
that there is no capability of controlling inbound traffic
through that port, which means that communication from
the EMS to SUPEERVISOR may still be possible if the
hacker discovers that port 8907 is open. Also, DeterLab
seems to have a limitation in that when the SUPERVISOR
is blocked using Windows Firewall, it is not possible to
connect to it to do further testing. The experiment would
have to be reset by swapping it out and then swapping it in
again.
V. VALIDATION IN LAB EXPERIMENTATION
This section discusses a small-scale hardware
experimentation of the existing and the proposed new
system. The aim here though is not to produce a physically
scaled down replica, but to perform an extended version of
tangible, logical validation and illustration. It should
therefore be noted that the components used to achieve this
hardware experimentation are neither directly relatable to
the industry specific equipment in use, nor are they
scalable. Specific details such as response times are not
considered because they would largely be dependent on the
precise equipment that would be used if this solution
approach is adopted.
A. Lab Experimentation Setup
As for hardware components for the simplified
substation systems, as illustrated in the schematic of Fig. 7,
the primary relay is represented by an Arduino
microcontroller [13] ("Primary Arduino"), the secondary
FPGA relay by a Nexys II Spartan-3E FPGA board
("Secondary FPGA"), and the supervisor by an Arduino
microcontroller with an attached Ethernet Shield
("Supervisor Arduino").
Figure 7. The Hardware Experimentation Components.
The communication server is represented with a laptop
with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional operating system
which is connected to the Internet. The Supervisor Arduino
is also connected to the Internet, and a Twitter account,
ArduinoHU, is made to represent the EMS and to simulate
the message transmission upon a cyber-incident.
The current sensor is represented by a DIP switch by the
position of each toggle of which can simulate various
loading conditions. The circuit breaker is implemented by a
simple magnetic switch/relay, the operation (Open/Close) of
which is controlled by a digital command. An LED is
attached to the magnetic relay to indicate the operation state
of Open (ON) or Close (OFF). In addition to the LED
attached to a circuit breaker representative, an LED is
connected to each of the relay representatives to indicate the
output status of it. The DIP is directly connected to an
input port of both Primary Arduino and Secondary FPGA as
well as to the Supervisor Arduino‟s input port. The digital
command to operate the magnetic switch is issued by the
Supervisor Arduino from the outputs of Primary Arduino
and Secondary FPGA, which are directly connected to the
input ports of the Supervisor Arduino.
As for software, a simple code is programmed for the
relay representatives for reading values from the DIP switch
and sending out corresponding outputs based on the pre-set
threshold value. The Supervisor Arduino is coded to take in
two outputs and compare them to a database of past sensor
readings and respective CB operations which is nothing but
a simple table embedded in the code. Fig. 8 depicts the lab
hardware experimentation set on a breadboard.
8. Charles Kim International Journal of Engineering and Applied Computer Science (IJEACS)
Volume: 02, Issue: 01, January 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9957075-2-8
www.ijeacs.com 8
Figure 8. The Lab Hardware Experimentation Setup.
The simulation of the existing system is done on the
experiment setup just by using only the network server and
the Primary Arduino and the DIP switch (all unshaded
components of Fig. 7), and that for the proposed system is
done using all the components. In both cases, it is assumed
that the attack is made through virtual private network
(VPN) of the substation and that the attacker has access to
the engineer‟s laptop after obtaining the credentials from the
Trojan virus or using a key logger.
B. Cyber Attack on Existing System
Once the hacker has the credentials to the engineer‟s
laptop which is connected to the substation network, the
hacker easily connects, using the remote desktop tool in
Microsoft Windows, to the remote communication network
server which is also running a Microsoft Windows operating
system. In the process, the hacker inputs the IP address of
the remote machine and then he types in the credentials for
the communication server, to which all IEDs within the
substation including the relay (represented as the Primary
Arduino in the setup) are connected. At this point the
hacker has now access the application that programs the
Primary Arduino, and can upload corrupted code to the
Primary Arduino.
In this particular simulation, the hacker uploads a code
which frequently changes the threshold value for circuit
breaker operation from very low to very high, and it results
in producing the constantly tripping and closing signals to
the circuit breaker, manifested in the blinking LED every
one second while the DIP switch positions are remained
intact. Under this type of operation, the existing substation
system components cannot survive and the service would be
disrupted to the customers until the crew come to the
substation and repair the problem and restore the service.
C. Cyber Attack on the Defensive Architecture
Now the same attack is staged for the system of the
proposed architecture. Again, the amount of loading is
simulated with the positions of the DIP switch and a certain
threshold value is coded in to Primary Arduino and
Secondary FPGA. Also, we assume that the hacker has
already entered the network and placed the same corrupted
code in Primary Arduino. Since the Secondary FPGA is not
connected to the network and keeps its operational logic in
its hare-wired code, it does not suffer from the attack.
Therefore, while the Primary Arduino produces and sends
erratic ever-changing outputs to the Supervisor Arduino,
manifesting with flashing LED of its own, the Secondary
FPGA sends consistent output based on the loading level.
Now the Supervisor Arduino compares the two outputs
against the normal operation history from its database, and
selects the Secondary FPGA to control the circuit breaker,
manifesting the state of the circuit breaker LED the same as
that of LED of the Secondary FPGA.
Hence, even under the compromised situation in the
Primary Arduino, the intended functions at the substation
would survive and there would be no disruption of service
to customers. At the same time the Supervisor Arduino
sends a twitter message to a Twitter account, ArduinoHU,
stating that the Primary Arduino has malfunctioned and
alerting the engineers of the EMS to come on site to repair
the compromised component. The proposed architecture
has shown that it can survive cyber-attacks.
D. Discussions on the Lab Hardware Experimentation
The lab hardware experimentations with the remote
attack scenario demonstrate the vulnerability of the existing
system and a greater potential of the proposed architecture
in surviving cyber-attacks. A minor problem is noticed in
simulating the unidirectional message alert from the
SUPERVISOR to the EMS via Twitter message. Under this
setup and scenario, the message being sent to the Twitter
account may be captured and replaced with false message.
Even though the false message would not warn the
substation system‟s operation, there is a great chance that no
one would be alerted to come to the substation to address
the problem. It is hoped that, in real application of the
proposed architecture, the suggested unidirectional fiber
optic network would do the intended function properly.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
The current period may be appropriately called a cyber-
age which has changed every aspect of business operations,
factory manufacturing, process operations, and our daily
lives in to digital data and cyber bits. The inevitable side
effect of this transforming convenience of cyber-age is the
cyber threats and attacks whose skills and tactics and targets
are not static but constantly evolving. Even with numerous
countermeasures supported by government and industry
agencies and experts, new threats seem to materialize as
soon as old ones are solved or patched. Considering the
impact and consequence of the service interruption in a
safety-critical application, power grid substation in
particular, caused by cyber incidents, a new defensive-
architecture based control system is proposed, with
expectation that this new defensive architecture would make
a networked computer control system cyber-strong and
resilient even under compromised situations. The defensive
architecture is centered around the diversified redundancy
principle and supervised operation with unidirectional