Utilities making progress on smart grid cyber security
November 21, 2011
A new report from Pike Research finds that utilities’ cyber security challenges are yet to be resolved. The security vulnerabilities facing the electrical grid have been a major topic of discussion as utilities worldwide move ahead with their smart grid deployment initiatives.
Utilities are invested in compliance minimums over the last few years instead of full security. This has given attackers nearly free rein. Many attacks simply cannot be defended. During the past 18 months utilities have now become aware of the importance of securing smart grids with architecturally sound solutions.
Cyber security solutions remain challenging to implement, especially as attackers gain awareness of the holes between point solutions. Security vendors are focusing increasingly on industrial control system (ICS) security and not only on advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) security.
The research examines key trends in smart grid cyber security that will be major issues for the industry over the next few years. These include:
• cyber security investments will be shaped by regional deployments
• industrial control systems, not smart meters, will be the primary cyber security focus
• the lack of security standards will hinder action
• aging infrastructure: older devices will continue to pose challenges
• system implementation will be more important than component security
