Smart Grids

Just some notes about securing a smart grids

Smart Grid Conceptual Model (https://ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/2781029/no.ntnu%3Ainspera%3A66462738%3A38097967.pdf?sequence=1)

In America, there are 4 Grids that supply all the electricity (right now I'm only working with some small part of Texas interconnection)

https://www.simplethread.com/a-tale-of-two-grids-a-brief-history-of-the-north-american-power-grid/

How to Secure a Smart Grid

The Grid itself consists of 3 components: Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution. Look exactly like the first picture

You need to identify what is the electric plant you are dealing with (there are a few of them) such as Fossil fuel, Solar, Wind,... Most of these types of plants have something called a controller which is a PLC to manage the turbine (hydro), the converter (solar), or the pump

In Order to reach this type of controller you have to go through a lot of layers, which might be an air gap environment

Without attacking the PLC, the threat could take control of the HMI and still wreak havoc (HMI as a C2)

Access control

Learn how many ways that your Grid can be access

• Remote Access Gateway (VPN, ...)

• Physical Access

Network Monitoring

PLC