Smart grid information security - a research on standards

Smart Grid has received tremendous development momentum over the last years. Information and cyber security of smart grid faces severe challenges and has gained considerable importance. First, the characters of smart grid are analyzed and discussed. Then a hierarchical information and communication model is abstracted. Based on the proposed model, the information security risks and information security protection demands of smart grid are studied and summarized. According to the model and security risks, this paper surveys, collects,and studys different smart grid and common information and cyber security standards and guidelines from three dimensions. The dimensions are different domains of smart grid, different hierarchies of the proposed information and communication model, different stages of the information system life cycle. Also, a comparison of these standards is made. After discussed, studied and analyzed, a information security standard architecture is designed and described to guide the electric power utilities in their smart grid information security efforts.