Developing Simulation Capabilities for Supply Chain Cybersecurity of the Electricity Grid

The electricity grid has evolved into a cyber-physical system that integrates electric systems with advanced information and operation technology. With the frequency of cyber-incidents increasing in recent years, the need for secure and robust cybersecurity solutions for supply chain networks for critical infrastructures, such as the electricity grid, has intensified. This paper proposes a testbed that involves hardware-in-the-loop simulation of power system operations and realtime data acquisition and management using the OSIsoft PI System and a common set of power control devices. A discussion of the development of this simulator's capabilities for supply-chain cybersecurity is included. The simulator is used to emulate the operation of a remote terminal unit, an SEL 751 relay, a vendor, a utility, and an attacker to execute the power system adversarial operation in a power grid environment. The testbed can provide researchers with a streamlined method to assess the impact of adding security measures related to the supply chain to the electricity power grid.