"New Technology Shows Promise In Detecting, Blocking Grid Cyberattacks"

Researchers from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and New Mexico-based Visgence Inc. have developed and demonstrated a new cybersecurity technology. The Constrained Cyber Communication Device (C3D) can block cyberattacks on the power grid. The C3D device was tested against a series of remote access attempts that suggest a cyberattack. During the live demonstration at INL's Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex, the device alerted operators to abnormal commands and automatically blocked them, thus preventing attacks from accessing and damaging critical components of the power grid. Commands sent to protective relay devices are autonomously reviewed and filtered using advanced communication capabilities. Relays are fundamental to the nation's power grid as they are designed to quickly command breakers to turn off electricity flow when a disturbance is detected. They help protect expensive equipment from damage when a power line fails due to a severe storm. However, relays are not designed to hinder a cyberattack's speed and stealthiness. A cyberattack can send wild commands to grid equipment within milliseconds. An intelligent and automatic filtering technology is needed to prevent such attacks. Jake Gentle, INL program manager, says the C3D device is placed deep inside a utility's network to monitor and block cyberattacks before they affect relay operations. The development of the device was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Electricity under the Protective Relay Permission Communication project. The C3D device and an associated software package will be further tested over the next several months before it is made available for licensing to private industry.

INL reports "New Technology Shows Promise In Detecting, Blocking Grid Cyberattacks"