The cybersecurity of critical infrastructures, such as electric power systems, is an important and challenging issue due to the growing concern over cyber attacks targeted toward these infrastructures. Conventional information security solutions cannot be easily adapted to the context of power systems due to the complex interdependency between information networks and power networks. In this regard, the researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) have undertaken a comprehensive research program, funded in part by the Electric Power Research Center (EPRC), to address various R&D issues such as integrated modeling, protocol design, test-bed development, security evaluation, and validation. This is a synergistic collaboration involving researchers from power systems, cybersecurity, and our industrial partners.

Research Highlights

The goal of PowerCyber is to achieve the following R&D tasks:

1. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the security vulnerabilities in SCADA systems, existing defense strategies and best practices, and emerging standards;

2. To develop realistic models for security attacks and their impact on SCADA systems, and also develop models for defense mechanisms and associated analysis framework;

3. Develop software tools incorporating the models and analysis framework;

4. Build a testbed environment wherein attack and defense strategies can be created for custom needs and evaluated. These tasks has been accomplished in consultation with industry partners in the form of better understanding of the existing practices, the needs, seeking feedback on the solutions, and participation in professional conferences/workshops.