Authors:
Abdul Razaq
1
;
Muhammad Majid Hussain
2
;
Waqas Javed
3
;
Tasmiyah Javed
1
and
Zulfiqar A. Memon
4
Affiliations:
1
School of Design and Informatics, Abertay University, Dundee, U.K.
;
2
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of South Wales, Cardiff, U.K.
;
3
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Rachna campus, Pakistan
;
4
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ajman University, Ajman, U.A.E.
Keyword(s):
Cloud based Smart Grid, Denial-of-Service, IDS/IPS, Cyber-security.
Abstract:
Smart Grid (SG), components with historical set of security challenges, becomes more vulnerable because Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has its own share of problems while Cloud infrastructure adds yet another unpredicted layer of threats. Scalability and availability, which are strong aspects of the cloud platform making it attractive to users, also attracts security threats for the same reasons. The malware installed on single host offers very limited scope compared to attack magnitude that compromised Cloud platform can offer. Therefore, the strongest aspect of Cloud itself becomes a nightmare in Cloud-Based SG. A breach in such a delicate system can cause severe consequences including interruption of electricity, equipment damage, data breach, complete blackouts, or even life-threatening consequences. We mimic Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks to demonstrate interruption of electricity in SG with open-source solution to co-simulate power and communication systems.