Network structure for low level control systems designed to prevent cyber attacks

This work presents a network structure with hardware switch for ensuring cyber security for level 1 control systems for hydropower plants. The developed modules could be also used in other systems. This paper is concentrated on identification of critical systems that must run and be protected at all times, even if the information flow to/from higher control levels is interrupted. The goal is to ensure that these critical systems are protected and in the case of manmade or natural disaster can operate in “manual” mode, without need for an expert to run them. The main goal is development of hardware and software modules that will enable interlocked protection functions for hydropower plants so that level 1 control systems cannot be compromised by cyber attack or distraction in industrial control networks. Having level 1 control systems undamaged and able to run independently of higher control levels improves resiliency and sustainability of infrastructures to mitigate the effect of attack or disasters until higher level controls are restored.