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Coordinated Variable Structure Switching Attack in the Presence of Model Error and State Estimation
"... Abstract—Coordinated variable structure switching attacks have been recently proposed as a class of cyber-physical attacks on future smart grid systems. In the traditional formulation of this assault, the opponent is assumed to have a local model of the power system and knowledge of the state (rotor ..."
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Abstract—Coordinated variable structure switching attacks have been recently proposed as a class of cyber-physical attacks on future smart grid systems. In the traditional formulation of this assault, the opponent is assumed to have a local model of the power system and knowledge of the state (rotor angle and frequency) of a target generator under attack. In this paper, we study the performance of this attack when the opponent has imperfect knowledge of the local system dynamics and partial knowledge of the generator state. In such a situation, we demonstrate how the attacker can make use of Luenberger-based state estimation techniques that are robust to model error to still achieve power system disruption via rotor angle instability. I.
Impact of Cyber Attacks on Transient Stability of Smart Grids with Voltage Support Devices
- in Proc. 2013 IEEE/PES General Meeting
, 2013
"... Abstract—Cyber security is becoming a major concern of smart grids, as the functionality of a smart grid is highly dependent on the cyber communication. Therefore, it is important to study the impact of cyber attacks on smart grids. This paper discusses several types of cyber attacks. Then, it prese ..."
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Abstract—Cyber security is becoming a major concern of smart grids, as the functionality of a smart grid is highly dependent on the cyber communication. Therefore, it is important to study the impact of cyber attacks on smart grids. This paper discusses several types of cyber attacks. Then, it presents results of studies of impacts on transient angle and transient voltage stability due to cyber attacks on two voltage support devices, SVC and STATCOM, in an 8-bus test system. The 8 bus system and voltage devices are simulated and the stability analysis is performed with DSAToolsTM. The results showed that some modification cyber attacks can make the system angle or voltage unstable, following a physical fault in the system. Index Terms—cyber attack, cyber security, smart grids, SVC, STATCOM, FACTS, transient stability, voltage support device
Coordinated variable structure switching in smart power systems: Attacks and mitigation
- in 1st International Conference on High Confidence Networked Systems
"... Recently, a class of cyber-physical attacks termed coordi-nated variable structure switching attacks has been identi-fied for future smart grid systems. Here, an attacker who has remotely gained access to a circuit breaker or switch is able to disrupt power system operation by applying a state-depen ..."
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Recently, a class of cyber-physical attacks termed coordi-nated variable structure switching attacks has been identi-fied for future smart grid systems. Here, an attacker who has remotely gained access to a circuit breaker or switch is able to disrupt power system operation by applying a state-dependent switching sequence. The sequence can be effec-tively designed employing variable structure systems theory. In this work, we extend this research to demonstrate an ap-proach to mitigation within this variable structure system framework. Specifically, we study strategies employed by a power system operator in the face of a switching attack to steer the system to a stable equilibrium through persistent co-switching and by leveraging the existence of a stable slid-ing mode. We demonstrate how such co-switching can be designed for a variant of the WECC 3-machine, 9-bus sys-tem using linearized models and then employ simulations in MATLAB/Simulink and PSCAD to demonstrate its poten-tial in practice.
A framework for modeling cyber-physical switching attacks in smart grid
- IEEE Trans. Emerging Topics Comput
, 2013
"... ABSTRACT Security issues in cyber-physical systems are of paramount importance due to the often safety-critical nature of its associated applications. A first step in understanding how to protect such systems requires an understanding of emergent weaknesses, in part, due to the cyber-physical coupli ..."
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ABSTRACT Security issues in cyber-physical systems are of paramount importance due to the often safety-critical nature of its associated applications. A first step in understanding how to protect such systems requires an understanding of emergent weaknesses, in part, due to the cyber-physical coupling. In this paper, we present a framework that models a class of cyber-physical switching vulnerabilities in smart grid systems. Variable structure system theory is employed to effectively characterize the cyber-physical interaction of the smart grid and demonstrate how existence of the switching vulnerability is dependent on the local structure of the power grid. We identify and demonstrate how through successful cyber intrusion and local knowledge of the grid an opponent can compute and apply a coordinated switching sequence to a circuit breaker to disrupt operation within a short interval of time. We illustrate the utility of the attack approach empirically on the Western Electricity Coordinating Council three-machine, nine-bus system under both model error and partial state information. INDEX TERMS Cyber-physical systems, security modeling, variable structure systems, coordinated switching attacks. I.
On Using Energy Storage Systems in Switching Attacks That Destabilize Smart Grid Systems
"... Abstract—A new class of switching attacks in smart grid systems is investigated in this work. The proposed attack relies on calculated switchings of a fast-acting energy storage system (ESS) in order to drive the system state variable of the target generator beyond the stability boundary. Based on u ..."
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Abstract—A new class of switching attacks in smart grid systems is investigated in this work. The proposed attack relies on calculated switchings of a fast-acting energy storage system (ESS) in order to drive the system state variable of the target generator beyond the stability boundary. Based on understanding the structure of the power system, an adversary uses the swing equation to find the stability boundary of the target generator. In order to conduct a successful switching attack, the adversary intercepts the power system’s measurements and switches the circuit breaker of the ESS back-and-forth depending on the value of system state variable. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed switching attack when applied to the New England power system. I.
Practical Limitations of Sliding-Mode Switching Attacks on Smart Grid Systems
"... Abstract—Switching attacks in smart grid systems have gained some recent attention by the research community. Based on understanding the structure of the physical system and accessing the system variables, effective sliding-mode switching attacks can be used to disrupt the normal operation of the po ..."
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Abstract—Switching attacks in smart grid systems have gained some recent attention by the research community. Based on understanding the structure of the physical system and accessing the system variables, effective sliding-mode switching attacks can be used to disrupt the normal operation of the power grid. This article investigates the practical limitations of such attacks. Sliding-mode switching attacks on a single-machine infinite-bus system are considered in this work, and the impact of some practical limitations is investigated. These limitations include sampling period, quantization level, signal-to-noise ratio, hysteresis margin and minimum time to switch of a circuit breaker, and communication latency. Results of this work detail the effectiveness of the sliding-mode switching attacks under different practical limitations. I.
Progressive Switching Attacks for Instigating Cascading Failures in Smart Grid
"... Abstract—In this paper we present a progressive strategy for applying a multi-switch cyber-physical attack on emerging smart grid systems. In contrast to a single switch attack, recently studied, we demonstrate how the additional degrees of freedom available to an opponent can be used to induce casc ..."
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Abstract—In this paper we present a progressive strategy for applying a multi-switch cyber-physical attack on emerging smart grid systems. In contrast to a single switch attack, recently studied, we demonstrate how the additional degrees of freedom available to an opponent can be used to induce cascading failures throughout a power system in a stealthy way. A framework based on variable structure system theory is presented in which targeted attacks can be constructed. Attack execution is simulated on the New England 10-generator 39-bus test system using DSAToolsTM to demonstrate the potential of the approach to achieve high impact disruption. Index Terms—Smart grid modeling, sliding mode, coordinated variable structure switching attacks. I.
A Game-Theoretic Control Approach to Mitigate Cyber Switching Attacks in Smart Grid Systems
"... Abstract—A parametric game-theoretic controller is proposed to stabilize power systems during and after cyber switching attacks. The attacks are based on calculated switchings of external power sources in order to destabilize the power system. The controller relies on receiving timely information fr ..."
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Abstract—A parametric game-theoretic controller is proposed to stabilize power systems during and after cyber switching attacks. The attacks are based on calculated switchings of external power sources in order to destabilize the power system. The controller relies on receiving timely information from the cyber component of the smart grid to control the output of fast-acting external power sources in order to balance the swing equation of the system. In this regard, game-theoretic analysis is applied to devise reactive strategies for the controller to drive the frequency of the system’s generators to stability. The proposed controller gives system operators the flexibility to meet constraints on external power while achieving an acceptable stability time. Numerical results show the usefulness of the proposed controller in stabilizing the WECC 3-generator power system during and after a switching attack. I.
A Coordinated Multi-Switch Attack for Cascading Failures in Smart Grid
"... Abstract—This paper explores distributed smart grid attack strategies to destabilize power system components using variable structure system theory. Here, an opponent is able to remotely control multiple circuit breakers within a power system, say through data corruption or communication network att ..."
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Abstract—This paper explores distributed smart grid attack strategies to destabilize power system components using variable structure system theory. Here, an opponent is able to remotely control multiple circuit breakers within a power system, say through data corruption or communication network attack, to destabilize target synchronous generators through application of state-dependent breaker switching. In contrast to attack via a single breaker, the multi-switch case provides additional degrees of freedom that can lead to stealthier and wide-scale cascading failures. We provide a dynamical systems context for formulating distributed multi-switch strategies and execute such attacks on the New England 10-generator 39-bus test system. Index Terms—Coordinated multi-switch attacks, cyber-physical system security, sliding mode theory, smart grid attacks, variable structure system modeling. I.
