An information security model for an IoT-enabled Smart Grid in the Saudi energy sector

Abstract

Data supply and transmission in the Smart Grid achieve better sensing, control, information communication and sharing, and more rational decision-making. An Internet of Things-enabled Smart Grid affords better automation, monitoring, and control of electricity consumption. However, rapid growth in connected entities, accompanied by electricity demand, brings about challenges such as securing energy information exchange before an incident occurs. It is argued that Smart Grid systems were designed with no regard for security, which is a serious omission for data, energy information exchange, and consumers’ and utilities’ privacy. This study is motivated by the gap identified between the requirements and controls for cybersecurity in the IoT-enabled Smart Grid's bidirectional data flow. It develops and confirms a model with seven security requirements and 45 security controls. In future, this model is to be verified and validated. This research focuses solely on the information flow's cybersecurity through using technical security controls to counter internet-based threats in IoT-enabled Smart Grids.