Vulnerability analysis of coupled heterogeneous critical infrastructures: A Co-simulation approach with a testbed validation

Security of critical infrastructures is presently a major aspect. One of the main threats is their growing interdependency, where a failure in one infrastructure may cascade on others. In order to improve the overall security encompassing power and ICT as well as pertinent regulation issues, it is needed to better understand the interactions and interdependencies of these heterogeneous infrastructures. Different tools are then needed: software tools able to simulate the dynamic of interdependent infrastructures and benchmarks with coupled-components. Therefore, two combined simulators (coupling dedicated software tools) of power system, communication and information models are presented in this panel paper. The first aims at identifying the vulnerabilities resulting from the interdependencies among the Transmission power grid and the Information and Communication system. The second is dedicated to Distribution Networks and Smart Grids. Finally, a platform for experimentation is presented. It is a reduced scale Smart Grid test bed for validation purposes.