Idaho National Lab, Visgence demonstrate capability to shield power grid from cyberattacks

In the wake of a year of terrible cyberattacks on the grid and infrastructure at large, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and New Mexico-based Visgence Inc. demonstrated a collaborative technology this week, which aims to both detect and block grid cyberattacks.

“Protecting our critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries is a key component in the department’s national security posture,” Patricia Hoffman, acting assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy, said. “It’s accomplishments like this that expand our efforts to strengthen our electric system against threats while mitigating vulnerabilities. Leveraging the capabilities of Idaho National Laboratory and the other national laboratories will accelerate the modernization of our grid hardware, protecting us from cyberattacks.”

Demonstration of the Constrained Cyber Communication Device, or C3D, took place at INL’s Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex, pitting the new device against a series of remote access attempts. Operators were alerted to the abnormal commands and blocked them automatically, preventing any attacks from breaching grid components.

The device used advanced communication capabilities to independently review and filter out commands sent to connected, protective relay devices — typical features of the U.S. power grid. Such relays can quickly command breakers to cut the flow of electricity when disturbances are detected, keeping equipment shielded when things like storms would otherwise cause damage. Cyberattacks are beyond their purview, though, which is where the C3D’s filtering technology becomes of use.

DOE’s Office of Electricity funded the development of the device as part of the Protective Relay Permission Communication project. It resulted from collaboration with industry experts and the insights of an industry advisory board filled with power grid and cybersecurity experts. Despite the successful demonstration, C3D will likely undergo months of further testing before being made available for licensing to private industry.