An Efficient ARIA-RSA-SHA256 Hybridized Encryption Algorithm for Metering Data in Smart Grid Network Systems

Abstract

Digitizing the traditional electrical power grid and transitioning the grid operations to Smart Grid functionalities could yield very efficient results. Despite all the advantages, smart grid networks pose a serious threat of cyber-attacks emerging at the various nodes of the system. The cyber threat models could vary from a minimal effect on the system to even massive power outages disrupting the entire system. One of the vulnerable and crucial nodes of the smart grid where security breaches can occur is the Advanced Metering Infrastructure component of the smart grid. Hence, it becomes essential for efficient security protocols in place, to secure the metering data originating from the consumer premises through smart meters. In this paper, we have explored the cryptographic encryption algorithms, which are most effective in securely transmitting data from smart meters to utility centers and vice versa. In particular, using the approach of combining the strengths of asymmetric and asymmetric public key algorithms to provide hybrid functionalities is very efficient in Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Therefore, in this research work, we propose an enhanced hybrid security protocol with ARIA encryption algorithm and Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) key encryption algorithm with SHA256 hash digital signature for the secure transmission of metering data in smart grid networks. The results of this hybrid application in smart grids show significant improvement in the defined performance metrics.