Parameterization of IPsec framework for security in the Smart Grid interoperability

Abstract

The infrastructure of the Smart Grid communication will require the use of security protocols based on standards of the state-of-the-art. This work proposes a method of parameterization of the IPsec protocol framework, aimed at security of data interoperability in Smart Grid, according to the requirement levels for the security services: Integrity, Confidentiality and Availability, recommended by the SGIRM (Smart Grid Interoperability Reference Model [1]). The methodology can be used for VPN IPsec Site-to-Site implementations between any pair of the seven domains of the SGIRM: Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Service Providers, Markets, Control / Operations and Customers. The methodology proposed for the VPN Ipsec implementation was applied as step-by-step tasks and implemented in a test bed network. Each test was repeated twenty times aimed at data analysis and statistical evaluation of the results. The field tests allowed us to measure jitter (latency variation) and data flow throughput resulting from the parameterization of IPsec to compare the results with the limits set out in SGIRM, aiming to validate the methodology.