Authentication of smart grid communications using quantum key distribution

Abstract

Smart grid solutions enable utilities and customers to better monitor and control energy use via information and communications technology. Information technology is intended to improve the future electric grid’s reliability, efficiency, and sustainability by implementing advanced monitoring and control systems. However, leveraging modern communications systems also makes the grid vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here we report the first use of quantum key distribution (QKD) keys in the authentication of smart grid communications. In particular, we make such demonstration on a deployed electric utility fiber network. The developed method was prototyped in a software package to manage and utilize cryptographic keys to authenticate machine-to-machine communications used for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). This demonstration showcases the feasibility of using QKD to improve the security of critical infrastructure, including future distributed energy resources (DERs), such as energy storage.

Quantum Key Distribution for Critical Infrastructures: Towards Cyber-Physical Security for Hydropower and Dams

“…Such reports [ 38 ], describe the current industry cybersecurity best practices in fossil generation that are based on the first principles for cybersecurity engineering. Another specific example is related to grid security, where previous work focused on: conducting an analysis of commercial QKD capabilities [ 12 , 50 ]; conducting an analysis of smart grid security needs [ 51 ]; identifying the highest-value security needs that can be met by QKD [ 52 ]. …”

“…The most well-established quantum communication technology is currently quantum key distribution (QKD), which has been shown to achieve information-theoretic security (ITS), meaning it does not rely on any technology assumptions, such as what problems are difficult to compute. Such a solution has already been demonstrated in the form of the deployment of state-of-the-art QKD-based communication technologies across the electric grid [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. To date, as technology transitions from research labs to the commercial sector, only a few commercial QKD systems have made their way to the market.…”

Quantum Communication Networks for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective

“…A commercially available QKD system from Qubitekk was used in tandem with a Carter–Wegmen authentication protocol. [ 258 ] The same group also demonstrated real‐world deployment of a quantum trusted node network consisting of three different QKD systems. The trial lasted for 28 hours on a fiber optic cable used to link a communications center with substations.…”

“…[ 223a ] A supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system is used to coordinate and optimize operations within this grid, however the SCADA is prone to attacks that have a deleterious impact on operations, providing another application area for QKD. [ 258 ]…”

Shannon’s Lens: The Catalyst for Cognitive Evolution of Edge Based Smart Machines

“…There exists a structural balance in biological and artificial networks 43 , assortativity 44 influences cognition and human information processing 45 occurs in complex networks. A mathematical framework can be developed for meaningful communication 46 and quantum key distribution 47 secures Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication 3 in smart grids. Leveraging edge communication results in efficient data distribution in vehicular networks 48 .…”