New report on Smart Grids cyber security measures; a risk-based approach is key to secure implementation, according to EU Agency ENISA

In contrast to the US’ strict regulatory path, the European approach is to allow a certain degree of ‘freedom’, where these guidelines above can be tailored and combined for the needs of different actors, given the varied market. The Agency therefore proposes a scalability of around 40 (39) security measures which are organised into three levels of sophistication and ten (10) domains:

1. Security governance & risk management;
2. Third parties management;
3. Secure lifecycle process for smart grid components/systems and operating procedures;
4. Personnel security, awareness and training;
5. Incident response & information sharing;
6. Audit and accountability;
7. Continuity of operations;
8. Physical security;
9. Information systems security; and
10. Network security.

The adoption of a minimum set of security measures needs the consensus and cooperation of various smart grid stakeholders. A coordination initiative could allow a common and generally accepted approach to smart grid security issues. Moreover, a common cyber security approach would help both regulators and stakeholders by harmonising the complex smart grid’s environment and bproviding incentives to improve cyber security. This report can therefore assist the EU by:

• Aligning the varying levels of security and resilience of the market operators with a consistent minimum national framework;
• Providing an indication of minimum levels of security and resilience in the Member States with regards to the smart grids
• Ensuring minimum levels on requirements for smart grids across Member States, thus reducing compliance and operational costs;
• Setting the baseline for a minimum auditable control framework across Europe;
• Facilitating preparedness, recovery, response measures and mutual aid of operators during crisis;
• Contributing to achieve an adequate level of transparency in the internal market.

The Executive Director of ENISA, Professor Udo Helmbrecht, commented; “In order to reach the ambitious EU2020 objectives: 20% of renewable energy, 20% of CO₂ emissions reduction and 20% increase in energy efficiency, it is a key issue to ensure that the roll-out of smart grids for distributed energy generation into future electricity grid is done in a secure way. Both innovative technical solutions are required, along with new suitable EU regulatory and economic schemes. We hope to see smart grids in the forthcoming Cyber Security Strategy of the EU.”

For full report

For interviews; Ulf Bergstrom, Spokesman, press@enisa.europa.eu, +30 6948 460 143, or Dr Konstantinos Moulinos, resilience@enisa.europa.eu