Analysing Cyber-physical Attacks to a Smart Grid: A Voltage Control Use Case

Langer, L., Smith, P., Hutle, M., Schaeffer-Filho, A., “Analysing Cyber-physical Attacks to a Smart Grid: A Voltage Control Use Case”, 19th Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC 2016), June 20-24, 2016, Genoa, Italy (to appear).

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Abstract: ICT and SCADA systems will play an increasingly operationally critical role in the smart grid. Cyber-attacks to these systems have the potential to result in outcomes in the physical domain. For example, power systems equipment could be damaged, reduced power quality could occur – potentially leading to blackouts – and, in extreme cases, result in safety- related incidents. Recently developed cybersecurity risk assess- ment guidelines for the smart grid reflect this understanding. However, they provide limited input about how these risks should be analysed. In this paper, we present how event trees – an inductive modelling technique – can be used to explore the potential impact of a cyber-attack to information assets in the smart grid. Using event tree analysis, we have examined cyber- attacks in the context of a voltage control use case, indicating how power grid protection measures may influence the outcome of such an attack and its physical impact to a smart grid.