With the increasing use of novel smart grid technologies, a large ICT network is being established in parallel to the existing electricity grid. Due to its size and number of access points, this ICT network will be exposed to similar hazards as the Internet, and security issues could have severe impacts on the reliability and accuracy of energy supply. Potential threats range from meter manipulation to directed attacks on the infrastructure of energy suppliers, which could damage or bring down parts of the national power grid. It is therefore essential that security measures are put in place to ensure a future smart grid does not succumb to these threats. The goal of the project Smart Grid Security Guidance – (SG)² – is to study such countermeasures. The project investigates and develops methods, concepts and process models as well as software tools to minimise the risk posed by the threats described, and to ensure the security of smart grids in Austria. Novel approaches to the modelling of complex ICT-supported smart grid architectures will be defined in the project, and form the basis for an analysis and evaluation of attack surfaces, and for the estimation of impacts.

Coordinator:

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Safety & Security Department

Project partner:

AIT Energy Department

·         Technische Universität Wien, Institutes AUTO and ICT
·         SECConsult Unternehmensberatung GmbH
·         Siemens AG - Corporate Technology Austria
·         LINZ STROM GmbH
·         Energie AG Oberösterreich Data GmbH
·         Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe AG
·         Energieinstitut an der JKU Linz
·         Federal Ministry of the Interior
·         Federal Ministry for Defense and Sports

Contact:

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Safety and Security Department
Web: www.ait.ac.at/it-security
DIThomas Bleier, MSc, Program-Manager ICT Security, E-Mail: thomas.bleier@ait.ac.at
Dr. Lucie Langer, E-Mail: lucie.langer@ait.ac.at