Identity based signcryption for advanced metering infrastructure

In smart grid, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system provides measuring, storing, analyzing, and utilizing energy consumption data. It enables a link between customers and electric power utilities. The AMI is also responsible for transmitting requests, commands, pricing-information and software updates from the authorized parties to the smart meters. As the AMI security threats from inside and outside grow exponentially; confidentiality, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation security services should be deployed to overcome possible threats. In this paper we give an overview on the main components and security requirements of the AMI and present possible security solutions. Then we propose an identity based security architecture, namely a signcryption scheme for smart metering infrastructure to provide necessary security services by taking advantage of identity based cryptography to ensure efficiency in addition to security through eliminating the cost for generation and managing certificates.