MESSAGE
| DATE | 2017-02-11 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [Hangout-NYLXS] power grids in peril
|
https://phys.org/news/2017-02-bulk-power-hackers.html
Protecting bulk power systems from hackers
February 10, 2017 by Allison Mills
Protecting bulk power systems from hackers
Hackers target specific parts of the control network of power
infrastructure and they focus on the mechanisms that control it to cause
power outages and blackouts. Credit: Michigan Tech, Sarah Bird
Reliability measures of electrical grid has risen to a new norm as it
involves physical security and cybersecurity. Threats to either can
trigger instability, leading to blackouts and economic losses.
New research led by scientists from Michigan Technological University
delves into so-called "nightmare" scenarios where hackers exploit
security weaknesses and execute a disruptive plan of cyberattacks. The
journal IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid published their work recently.
Lead author Chee-Wooi Ten, an associate professor of electrical and
computer engineering at Michigan Tech, says the fundamental problem is a
gap between physical equipment and intangible software.
Hacked
Advances in smart grid technology—such as smart meters in homes,
management systems for distributed energy resources like wind and solar
production along with instrumentation systems in power plants,
substations or control centers—create both improvements in monitoring
and entry points for hackers.
"Ten years ago, cybersecurity simply didn't exist—it wasn't talked about
and it wasn't a problem," Ten says, joking that people thought he was
crazy for suggesting power grid hacking was possible. "Now with events
like in Ukraine last year and malware like Stuxnet, where hackers can
plan for a cyberattack that can cause larger power outages, people are
starting to grasp the severity of the problem."
Protecting bulk power systems from hackers
Specific targets are weak in terms of a power grid's cybersecurity; the
impacts hacking have cascading effects through the system leading to
equipment failure, power outages, blackouts and islanding where a grid
section is cut off from the main grid. Credit: Michigan Tech, Vassilissa
Semouchkina
Ten points out that hackers target specific parts of the control network
of power infrastructure and they focus on the mechanisms that control
it. Automated systems control much of the grid from generation to
transmission to use. As Ten puts it, the convenience and cost reduction
of automation streamlines the process, but without solid security
measures, it also makes the systems vulnerable. The interconnectedness
of the grid can also cause cascading impacts leading to blackouts,
equipment failure and islanding where regions become cut off and
isolated from the main power grid.
Emerging Cybersecurity Threats
Ten and his team draw connections and assess weaknesses using a
framework that would constantly assess the bottleneck of a power grid
and its interconnection with their neighboring grids. Using quantitative
methods to prioritize cybersecurity protection will ensure power grids
are operated in a more secure and safer manner. Ten says it's like
measuring blood pressure.
"You know your health is at risk because we monitor systolic and
diastolic numbers, so perhaps you work out more or eat healthier," Ten
says. "The grid needs established metrics for health too, a number to
gauge if we are ready for this security challenge."
With a better understanding of the system's weaknesses, it's easier to
be strategic and shore up security risks. In the long run, Ten says
improving regulations with specifics to match actual infrastructure
needs and providing cybersecurity insurance will help.
"Simply because the remote substation networks are constantly
commissioned with full compliance doesn't mean they are secure," Ten
says. "There is going to be a tremendous impact if we're negligent and
fail to keep up with changes in communication infrastructure and
emerging security threats."
Explore further: When hackers turn out the lights
More information: Chee-Wooi Ten et al. Impact Assessment of Hypothesized
Cyberattacks on Interconnected Bulk Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on
Smart Grid (2017). DOI: 10.1109/TSG.2017.2656068
Provided by: Michigan Technological University search and more info website
--
So many immigrant groups have swept through our town
that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological
proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
http://www.mrbrklyn.com
DRM is THEFT - We are the STAKEHOLDERS - RI Safir 2002
http://www.nylxs.com - Leadership Development in Free Software
http://www2.mrbrklyn.com/resources - Unpublished Archive
http://www.coinhangout.com - coins!
http://www.brooklyn-living.com
Being so tracked is for FARM ANIMALS and and extermination camps,
but incompatible with living as a free human being. -RI Safir 2013
_______________________________________________
hangout mailing list
hangout-at-nylxs.com
http://www.nylxs.com/
|
|
