Synchrophasor Cyber-Risk Evaluation via Event Tree Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The synchrophasor systems in power grids are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which can disrupt the timing information and lead to erroneous monitoring and control actions, potentially causing damage to electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A risk model using event tree analysis is implemented to quantify and prioritize cyber-risks, identifying vulnerabilities and potential impacts on phasor measurement data, allowing for resource allocation and security controls to mitigate timing intrusion attacks, and adapting the system architecture in real-time to protect against cyber-attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchrophasor systems are deployed to enable time-synchronized monitoring of electrical systems at high speed and over wide area, then the monitoring capability and system reliability are improved, but the vulnerability to cyber-attacks and timing intrusion attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary risk assessment and vulnerability identification before cyber-attacks occur. The system continuously evaluates cyber-risk by analyzing threat intelligence, system configurations, and potential attack vectors, allowing preventive measures to be taken in advance to protect synchrophasor systems from timing intrusion attacks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary risk assessment layer between the cyber-attack and the synchrophasor system. This intermediary component evaluates and prioritizes risks, filters out false positives, and determines which security controls need to be activated, thereby protecting the system without disrupting its normal monitoring operations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If security controls and cyber-risk mitigation measures are implemented, then the protection against cyber-attacks is improved, but the system complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring security controls to specific risk scenarios rather than implementing uniform security measures across the entire system. The risk assessment identifies which components are most vulnerable to specific attack types, and security controls are selectively applied only where needed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to dynamically adjust security controls based on the current risk state. The system monitors threat intelligence and system conditions, changing security parameters (such as authentication requirements, encryption levels, or access controls) in response to changing risk levels, thereby optimizing protection without consistently increasing complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time adaptation of system architecture is implemented to respond to cyber-risks, then the responsiveness to threats is improved, but the computational resources and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing real-time adaptation only for the most critical risk scenarios and system components. Rather than continuously adapting the entire system architecture, the risk assessment prioritizes which components need real-time adjustments based on their vulnerability levels and the current threat landscape, reducing computational resource consumption while maintaining effective adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
Technology related to evaluating cyber-risk for synchrophasor systems is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method includes generating an event tree model of a timing-attack on a synchrophasor system architecture. The event tree model can be based on locations and types of timing-attacks, an attack likelihood, vulnerabilities and detectability along a scenario path, and consequences of the timing-attack. A cyber-risk score of the synchrophasor system architecture can be determined using the event tree model. The synchrophasor system architecture can be adapted in response to the cyber-risk score.