Analysis of Cyber Security Challenges in Smart Grids

Abstract

A Smart grid is generally an electrical grid combined with the best of digital technologies. The benefit of this shift, though very dependent, efficient, and sustainable, also has a lot of cybersecurity risks. Modern energy systems are based on the smart grid, which is vulnerable to hackers and hence threatens the safety of public and economic activities. In this study, we provide a thorough analysis of Smart Grid cybersecurity concerns. One of the major issues with a smart grid network has been security; up until now, cybersecurity has been the main factor to be taken into account. Again, it took a lot of investigation to uncover those security flaws. Cybersecurity issues are continuously changing, especially those related to do with privacy, connectivity, and security management. Modern cybersecurity technology and best practices are mostly borrowed from the traditional telecommunications sector due to its laxer availability and safety standards. The oil and gas industry can provide very valuable inputs on how to handle all operational integration security issues; however, the smart grid faces a very different reality, with an extremely high number of end-users and very high geographic dispersion. Global growth in electricity demand necessitates the need to preserve the reliability, robustness, and safety of energy infrastructure, hence shielding smart grids against cyberattacks. Whoever is responsible will be able to adequately protect this vital piece of modern civilization's infrastructure against smart grid cybersecurity and, moving forward, implement remedial strategies before the threats. Only with strong partnerships working and striving in the right direction will we be able to address all aspects of smart grids associated maintenance challenges, delivering on that promise. A brief discussion on major cybersecurity concerns to a smart grid and some strategies for risk reduction is covered in the forthcoming section of this research.