Computational Study of Security Risk Evaluation in Energy Management and Control Systems Based on a Fuzzy MCDM Method

• Published in: Processes Vol. 11; no. 5; p. 1366
• Main Author: Alhakami, Wajdi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 29.04.2023
• Subjects: Access control; Alternative energy sources; Automation; Communication; Communication networks; Communications networks; Communications systems; Control systems; Cybersecurity; Cyberterrorism; Data encryption; Data integrity; Data security; Decision making; Denial of service attacks; Energy consumption; Energy industry; Energy management; Energy management systems; Energy resources; Energy use; HVAC; Infrastructure; Methods; Multiple criterion; Network security; Nuclear power plants; Planning; Power control; Power management; R&D; Renewable resources; Research & development; Risk assessment; Risk communication; Safety and security measures; Security management; Simulation; Spyware; Surveillance; United States > US
• ISSN: 2227-9717; 2227-9717
• DOI: 10.3390/pr11051366

Numerous cyberattacks on connected control systems are being reported every day. Such control systems are subject to hostile external attacks due to their communication system. Network security is vital because it protects sensitive information from cyber threats and preserves network operations and trustworthiness. Multiple safety solutions are implemented in strong and reliable network security plans to safeguard users and companies from spyware and cyber attacks, such as distributed denial of service attacks. A crucial component that must be conducted prior to any security implementation is a security analysis. Because cyberattack encounters in power control networks are currently limited, a comprehensive security evaluation approach for power control technology in communication networks is required. According to previous studies, the challenges of security evaluation include a power control process security assessment as well as the security level of every control phase. To address such issues, the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) based on multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) is presented for a security risk assessment of the communication networks of energy management and control systems (EMCS). The methodology focuses on quantifying the security extent in each control step; in order to value the security vulnerability variables derived by the protection analysis model, an MCDM strategy incorporated as a TOPSIS is presented. Ultimately, the example of six communication networks of a power management system is modelled to conduct the security evaluation. The outcome validates the utility of the security evaluation.