Smart Grid Communication Infrastructures

10Security Challenges in the Smart Grid Communication Infrastructure

In this chapter, we will discuss security challenges in the smart grid communication infrastructure. The requirements for building a reliable smart grid communications network will be described, especially the requirements for the utility's private and public networks used in the smart grid.

10.1 General Security Challenges

The smart grid communication infrastructure is complex and evolving. Security challenges in the smart grid are continuously changing, depending on a particular system. In the transition from the traditional power grid to the smart grid, many legacy systems need to be protected before being upgraded. In the smart grid, there are a large number of end points in many geographic locations. In addition, most systems in the smart grid are always required to be online. Besides these technical challenges, other security challenges may come from the culture of security through obscurity and a lack of standards and regulations.

10.1.1 Technical Requirements

The smart grid communication infrastructure represents a technical challenge that is far beyond the simple addition of an information technology infrastructure on top of an electrical network. The number of widely distributed nodes that are tightly coupled and operating in the electrical network has grown over many years. It is very challenging to figure out where intelligence needs to be added. Another challenge comes from the continuous operation of ...