Physical and Cyber Security in a Smart Grid Environment

Abstract

As a critical infrastructure, the electric power grid is vulnerable with respect to malicious physical and cyber attacks. Indeed, the importance of physical and cyber security for smart grids has been highlighted by recent intrusion incidents worldwide. Various types of sensors, instrumentation, information and communications technology (ICT), computational methodologies, and security controls have been developed to enhance the physical and cyber security of the smart grid. In this paper, critical vulnerabilities of a smart grid that can be exploited for physical and cyber intrusions are discussed. A comprehensive survey is conducted on the state-of-the-art research to enhance the physical and cyber security in a smart grid environment. Furthermore, the interdependency of physical and cyber security is illustrated with an intrusion scenario. The emphasis is on the physical and cyber security of power substations. Computer simulation results for a case study are presented.