Cyber Security Analysis of a Power Distribution System Using Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing Tools

Authors

  • R.K. Nidhi University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru - 560001, Karnataka
  • M. Pradish Smart Grid Research Laboratory, Central Power Research Institute, Bengaluru - 560080, Karnataka
  • M. N. Suneetha University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru - 560001, Karnataka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33686/pwj.v20i1.1163

Keywords:

Cyber Security, Intelligent Electronic Devices, Penetration Testing, Power Distribution System, Vulnerability Assessment

Abstract

The cyber security analysis on a power distribution system, utilizing Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) tools, emphasizes the critical need to evaluate and mitigate cyber security risks for the reliability, integrity, and resilience of these systems. The growing threat landscape faced by interconnected and digitally reliant power distribution systems is discussed, highlighting the severe consequences of potential cyber-attacks. VAPT tools offer an effective approach to identifying vulnerabilities and assessing the security posture. Vulnerability assessment targets weaknesses in software, hardware, and network infrastructure, while penetration testing actively exploits vulnerabilities to gauge system resilience. The analysis aims to identify potential vulnerabilities, evaluate the system’s response to attacks, and provide recommendations for improving overall security. Proactively addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing cyber security defences ensures uninterrupted electricity delivery, safeguards critical infrastructure, and protects against cyber threats in an interconnected world.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Downloads

Published

2024-09-24

How to Cite

Nidhi, R., Pradish, M., & Suneetha, M. N. (2024). Cyber Security Analysis of a Power Distribution System Using Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing Tools. Power Research - A Journal of CPRI, 20(1), 17–25. https://doi.org/10.33686/pwj.v20i1.1163

Issue

Section

Articles

References

De S, Sodhi R. A PMU assisted cyber-attack resilient framework against power systems structural vulnerabilities. J Electr Power Syst Res. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2022.107805

Sun C-C, Sebastian DJ, Hahn A, Liu C-C. Intrusion detection for cyber security of smart meters. IEEE Trans Smart Grid. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TSG.2020.3010230

Oyewole PA, Jayaweera D. Power system security with the cyber-physical power system. IEEE Access. 2020; 8. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3028222 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3028222

Nayak J, Al-Anbagi I. Vulnerability assessment and defence strategy to site distributed generation in smart grid. IET Smart Grid. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1049/stg2.12059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1049/stg2.12059

Hemmati M, Palahalli MH, Gajani GS, Gruoss G. Impact and vulnerability analysis of IEC61850 in smart grids using multiple HIL real-time testbeds. IEEE Access. 2022; 10. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3209698 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3209698

Negi R, Kumar P, Ghosh S, Shukla SK, Gahlot A. Vulnerability assessment and mitigation for industrial critical infrastructures with cyber-physical test bed. International Conference on Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems. IEEE. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICPHYS.2019.8780291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICPHYS.2019.8780291

Wang X, Fidge C, Nourbakhsh G, Foo E. Anomaly detection for insider attacks from untrusted intelligent electronic devices in substation automation systems. IEEE Access. 2022; 10. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3142022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3142022

Zheng X, Nadeem MH, Tai N, Habib S, Wang B, Yu M, et al. A transient current protection and fault location scheme for MMC-HVDC transmission network. Int J Electr Power Energy Syst. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2020.106348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2020.106348