Securing the Smart Grid: Next Generation Power Grid Security

“The first step in securing the Smart Grid is to fully understand the threat landscape. This book provides both a timely and relevant overview of the subject – a must-read for anyone responsible for securing the grid as well as consumers looking to implement the technology!.”– Dr. Patrick Engebretson, Assistant Professor of Computer Security, Dakota State University.

“Easy to read and full of valuable information, this book provides a wide-eyed view of our future and the security challenges we will be facing in our day-to-day lives. Exploring everything from home systems to large-scale power plants, this is a must-read for everyone in our technological society.”– Thomas Wilhelm, ISSMP, CISSP, SCSECA, SCNA, SCSA, IEM, IAM

Smart Grids are the future of energy. By creating networks from power plant to home, utility companies will be able to regulate power consumption making sure that consumers are receiving the amount that is needed, no more or less. While this new use of networking technology and unique applications such as smart meters will help to conserve energy it also opens up a pipeline, that was regulated manually, into the computer world of interconnected networks. The infrastructure that is being built will need to have robust security as an attack on this network could create chaos to tens of thousands of power consumers, stop a utility company in its tracks, or be used in a cyberwar.

Securing the Smart Grid takes a look at grid security today, how it is developing and being deployed into now over 10 million households in the US alone. Direct attacks to smart meters as well as attacks via the networks will be detailed along with suggestions for defense against them. A framework for how security should be implemented throughout this growing system will be included directing security consultants, and system and network architects on how to keep the grid strong against attackers big and small.

• Details how old and new hacking techniques can be used against the grid and how to defend against them
• Discusses current security initiatives and how they fall short of what is needed
• Find out how hackers can use the new infrastructure against itself

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Smart Grid: What is it?
Chapter 2: Threats and Impacts: Consumers
Chapter 3: Threats and Impacts: utility companies & Beyond
Chapter 4: Federal Effort to Secure Smart Grids
Chapter 5: State and Local Security Initiatives
Chapter 6: Public and Private Companies
Chapter 7: Attacking the Utility Companies
Chapter 8: Securing the Utility Companies
Chapter 9: Third-Party Services
Chapter 10: Mobile Applications
Chapter 11: Social Networking & The Smart Grid
Chapter 12: Home Area Network: Smart Meters
Chapter 13: Home Area Network: Smart Devices and Interfaces
Chapter 14: What’s Next?