Security Risk Management for Smart Grids

Mgr. Vikas Lamba

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Smart Grids have emerged out to be the most promising solution to aging traditional electrical grids by the convergence of information technology and power systems to ensure real-time monitoring and wide-situational awareness. Smart Grids make an increased use of information and communication networking by overlaying digital infrastructures on the electrical grid that can automatically monitor, control, and make intelligent decisions for seamless transmission and distribution of power to the last mile. However, these aspects have added new complexities and opened the gateway to various security risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that are required to be addressed in both cyber and power domains altogether. Hence, security risk management plays a vital role to identify, analyse, and mitigate risks at all levels in Smart Grids. The present thesis focuses on the security risk management for Smart Grids to address diverse security risks in Smart Grid architecture in a holistic way. The thesis reviews the existing risk management frameworks proposed over a period of time to ascertain their characteristics and implementation aspects. In the end, the thesis proposes a set of guidelines that may serve as a flexible framework to conduct the process of security risk management in Smart Grids.

Abstract:

Smart Grids have emerged out to be the most promising solution to aging traditional electrical grids by the convergence of information technology and power systems to ensure real-time monitoring and wide-situational awareness. Smart Grids make an increased use of information and communication networking by overlaying digital infrastructures on the electrical grid that can automatically monitor, control, and make intelligent decisions for seamless transmission and distribution of power to the last mile. However, these aspects have added new complexities and opened the gateway to various security risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that are required to be addressed in both cyber and power domains altogether. Hence, security risk management plays a vital role to identify, analyse, and mitigate risks at all levels in Smart Grids. The present thesis focuses on the security risk management for Smart Grids to address diverse security risks in Smart Grid architecture in a holistic way. The thesis reviews the existing risk management frameworks proposed over a period of time to ascertain their characteristics and implementation aspects. In the end, the thesis proposes a set of guidelines that may serve as a flexible framework to conduct the process of security risk management in Smart Grids.

Keywords

Smart Grids, Security, Risk Management Frameworks.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 13. 12. 2018

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 31. 1. 2019
• Supervisor: PhD Bruno Rossi
• Reader: RNDr. Stanislav Chren

Masaryk University

Faculty of Informatics

Master programme / field:
Informatics / Information Technology Security (eng.)