Integrated Protection and Control Communications outwith the Substation: Cyber Security Challenges

Digital protection and control, or an integrated substation control system (iSCS), is now widely adopted by Utilities in place of traditional systems. Remote communication for operational supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and maintenance via WAN and other non-dedicated networks, now present greater risks from interference; accidental or malicious, requiring additional cyber security procedures to be adopted. Emerging critical infrastructure protection regulation and standards from NERC (North American Electric Reliability Council) in North America and CPNI (Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure) in the UK are considered in combination with international information security standards and best practises in enterprise security.