Complexities of Information Security in Cyber-Physical Power Systems

Cyber-Physical Power Systems consist of significant cyber components that mange the physical electric power infrastructure under distributed control of power electronics devices. This represents a departure from more centralized SCADA-type control. NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards emphasize the need to protect the power infrastructure from both cyber and physical attacks. Complex interactions between the cyber and physical worlds introduce new vulnerabilities that go beyond those found in the purely computer world. In this paper, some of these new vulnerabilities are described and a direction is suggested to determine and mitigate these vulnerabilities.