Cybersecurity Challenges in Smart Grid Systems: Current and Emerging Attacks, Opportunities, and Recommendations

Abstract

Traditional power grids are transforming into Smart Grids (SGs) to address challenges such as unidirectional information flow, increasing energy demand, energy waste, and issues related to availability and security. This evolution is facilitated by the Internet of Things (IoT), and its integration with existing power grids is expected to yield future SGs that are more efficient and reliable. However, the reliable and continuous operation of SGs is threatened by cyberattacks due to the added advancements and IoT technologies. These threats pose a significant risk to the entire grid, making security a paramount concern in adopting SG technology. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the cybersecurity challenges IoT devices face in SGs. It begins by outlining the architecture of SGs and the applications of IoT in the SGS. Then, the security challenges, objectives, and requirements of the SGs are discussed. Subsequently, the paper classifies and evaluates cyber-attacks based on the principles of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) and the emerging sophisticated attacks. The paper then presents current security solutions, secure protocols and standards that counter each type of cyber-attack. It also discusses emerging solutions and modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Software-Defined Networking (SDN), that can tackle emerging cyber-attacks and enhance the robustness of SGs. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for further research based on the current literature and the findings of this research.