Cyber security for substation automation systems by ABB

ABB addresses cyber security in every respect The electric power grid has evolved significantly over the past decade thanks to many technological advancements and breakthroughs. As a result, the emerging “Smart Grid” is quickly becoming a reality. At the heart of these intelligent advancements are specialized IT systems – various control and automation solutions such as substation automation systems. To provide end users with comprehensive real-time information and allow for higher reliability and greater level of control, these systems have become more and more interconnected. The new generation...

Systematic approach to ensure cyber security Over the last couple of years, the global power industry has steadily increased focus on cyber security for control and automation systems. As a result, many different drivers and trends have emerged. ABB has identified cyber security as a key requirement and is committed to providing our customers with products, systems and services that clearly address this issue. ABB takes a systematic approach to cyber security through its operations on a global level. For instance, ABB has established the Power Systems Security Council to keep track of the global...

Cyber security embedded Cyber security is embedded in ABB’s product lifecycle, and addressing cyber security is an integral part of our substation automation products and system solutions. This means that cyber security is addressed in every phase from design and development, to maintenance of the products in our portfolio. Threat modeling and security design reviews, security training of software developers as well as in-house and external security testing as part of quality assurance processes are examples of numerous actions ABB is taking to ensure reliable and secure solutions for its customers....

Cyber security - Addressed throughout the system life cycle ABB aims to provide products and solutions that enable substation automation customers to fulfill the requirements of cyber security standards, such as NERC CIP. We view cyber security not only as a single, one-time activity, but as an integrated part of different phases of the product and system life cycle – from early design and development, to testing and commissioning, as well as to processes supporting products and systems in operation both now and in the future. One key element of this process is our independent robustness test...

Cyber security on system level Interactions between the substation automation system, corporate networks and the outside world are usually handled on the station level, which means that ensuring a high level of security on the station level is vital to the security of the SA system itself. Therefore, ABB uses best-in-class firewalls, intrusion detection or prevention systems, or VPN technology. All communication from the outside world to a substation can, for instance, be protected by using a firewall and/or VPN-enabled communication. Systems can additionally be divided into multiple security...

Cyber security features in station level products ABB is addressing cyber security requirements both on a system as well as on a product level. Verified antivirus software is supported to protect the station computers from attacks and viruses. The cyber security can be for instance further improved by limiting the use of removable media in the station computers. Additionally, ABB has built security mechanisms such as advanced account management and detailed security audit trails into its RTU560 and MicroSCADA Pro products. ABB‘s product security approach is completed by robust bay level devices...

ABB Switzerland Ltd Power Systems Bruggerstrasse 72 CH-5400 Baden, Switzerland Phone: +41 58 585 77 44 Fax: +41 58 585 55 77 ABB Oy Substation Automation Products P.O. Box 699 FI-65101 Vaasa, Finland Phone: +358 10 22 11 Fax: +358 10 22 41094 ABB AG Power Systems Division P.O. Box 10 03 51 DE-68128 Mannheim, Germany Phone: +49 621 381 3000 Fax: +49 621 381 7662 ABB AB Substation Automation Products SE-72159 Västerås, Sweden Phone: +46 21 32 50 00 Fax: +46 21 14 69 18 www.abb.com/substationautomation 1KHA - 001 149, - SEN 1000 - 12.10 - Printed in Switzerland © ABB Switzerland Ltd, December 2010....