Cybersecurity Issues in Communication-Based Electrical Protections

Cybersecurity is becoming a fundamental issue in Smart Grids. In the last past years, there have been remarkable advances in technologies for enhancing the security of electrical systems. Still, some systems shows severe vulnerabilities. One of them is represented by communication-based electrical protection. The present work analyzes vulnerabilities in such type of control networks. We analyze the attack models to communication-based electrical protection systems, discussing the impact of the implementation of IEC 62351 on these vulnerabilities. We also discuss possible countermeasures which can be useful to address the discussed vulnerabilities.