A method and
system for securing communication between a
Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) and a
Phasor Data
Concentrator (PDC) in accordance with IEEE C37.118.2-2024. The method includes receiving, at the PMU, a command frame requesting an
authentication certificate, receiving a configuration frame comprising an X.509
certificate of the PDC, generating a public-private key pair, and transmitting a configuration frame comprising an X.509
certificate of the PMU.
Mutual authentication is performed by verifying received certificates using a trusted
Certificate Authority. Upon successful
authentication, the PMU transmits synchrophasor
data messages formatted per IEEE C37.118.2-2024, each appended with a security
algorithm field and a FALCON-512
digital signature generated over defined message fields. The PDC verifies signatures using the PMU's public key and authenticates messages only upon successful
verification. Replay protection is achieved through SOC
timestamp comparison, rendering
quantum-resistant, authenticated, and integrity-protected synchrophasor communication without altering the original IEEE C37.118.2 frame structure.