Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process
Smart grids have emerged as a transformative technology in the power sector, enabling efficient energy management. However, the increased reliance on digital technologies also exposes smart grids to various cybersecurity threats and attacks. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of cyber...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-800X/3/4/31 |
| _version_ | 1797380573103128576 |
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| author | Ayat-Allah Bouramdane |
| author_facet | Ayat-Allah Bouramdane |
| author_sort | Ayat-Allah Bouramdane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Smart grids have emerged as a transformative technology in the power sector, enabling efficient energy management. However, the increased reliance on digital technologies also exposes smart grids to various cybersecurity threats and attacks. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of cyberattacks and cybersecurity in smart grids, focusing on critical components and applications. It examines various cyberattack types and their implications on smart grids, backed by real-world case studies and quantitative models. To select optimal cybersecurity options, the study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in smart-grid security is examined, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges. Overall, the findings suggest that “security effectiveness” holds the highest importance, followed by “cost-effectiveness”, “scalability”, and “Integration and compatibility”, while other criteria (i.e., “performance impact”, “manageability and usability”, “compliance and regulatory requirements”, “resilience and redundancy”, “vendor support and collaboration”, and “future readiness”) contribute to the evaluation but have relatively lower weights. Alternatives such as “access control and authentication” and “security information and event management” with high weighted sums are crucial for enhancing cybersecurity in smart grids, while alternatives such as “compliance and regulatory requirements” and “encryption” have lower weighted sums but still provide value in their respective criteria. We also find that “deep learning” emerges as the most effective AI technique for enhancing cybersecurity in smart grids, followed by “hybrid approaches”, “Bayesian networks”, “swarm intelligence”, and “machine learning”, while “fuzzy logic”, “natural language processing”, “expert systems”, and “genetic algorithms” exhibit lower effectiveness in addressing smart-grid cybersecurity. The article discusses the benefits and drawbacks of MCDM-AHP, proposes enhancements for its use in smart-grid cybersecurity, and suggests exploring alternative MCDM techniques for evaluating security options in smart grids. The approach aids decision-makers in the smart-grid field to make informed cybersecurity choices and optimize resource allocation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:39:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d3d231f04aee4e00beca80014a7b57fc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-800X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:39:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy |
| spelling | doaj.art-d3d231f04aee4e00beca80014a7b57fc2023-12-22T14:17:44ZengMDPI AGJournal of Cybersecurity and Privacy2624-800X2023-09-013466270510.3390/jcp3040031Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy ProcessAyat-Allah Bouramdane0Laboratory of Renewable Energies and Advanced Materials (LERMA), College of Engineering and Architecture, International University of Rabat (IUR), IUR Campus, Technopolis Park, Rocade Rabat-Salé, Sala Al Jadida 11103, MoroccoSmart grids have emerged as a transformative technology in the power sector, enabling efficient energy management. However, the increased reliance on digital technologies also exposes smart grids to various cybersecurity threats and attacks. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of cyberattacks and cybersecurity in smart grids, focusing on critical components and applications. It examines various cyberattack types and their implications on smart grids, backed by real-world case studies and quantitative models. To select optimal cybersecurity options, the study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in smart-grid security is examined, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges. Overall, the findings suggest that “security effectiveness” holds the highest importance, followed by “cost-effectiveness”, “scalability”, and “Integration and compatibility”, while other criteria (i.e., “performance impact”, “manageability and usability”, “compliance and regulatory requirements”, “resilience and redundancy”, “vendor support and collaboration”, and “future readiness”) contribute to the evaluation but have relatively lower weights. Alternatives such as “access control and authentication” and “security information and event management” with high weighted sums are crucial for enhancing cybersecurity in smart grids, while alternatives such as “compliance and regulatory requirements” and “encryption” have lower weighted sums but still provide value in their respective criteria. We also find that “deep learning” emerges as the most effective AI technique for enhancing cybersecurity in smart grids, followed by “hybrid approaches”, “Bayesian networks”, “swarm intelligence”, and “machine learning”, while “fuzzy logic”, “natural language processing”, “expert systems”, and “genetic algorithms” exhibit lower effectiveness in addressing smart-grid cybersecurity. The article discusses the benefits and drawbacks of MCDM-AHP, proposes enhancements for its use in smart-grid cybersecurity, and suggests exploring alternative MCDM techniques for evaluating security options in smart grids. The approach aids decision-makers in the smart-grid field to make informed cybersecurity choices and optimize resource allocation.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-800X/3/4/31analytical hierarchy processartificial intelligencecyberattackscybersecuritymulti-criteria decision-makingsmart grids |
| spellingShingle | Ayat-Allah Bouramdane Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy analytical hierarchy process artificial intelligence cyberattacks cybersecurity multi-criteria decision-making smart grids |
| title | Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process |
| title_full | Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process |
| title_fullStr | Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process |
| title_short | Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process |
| title_sort | cyberattacks in smart grids challenges and solving the multi criteria decision making for cybersecurity options including ones that incorporate artificial intelligence using an analytical hierarchy process |
| topic | analytical hierarchy process artificial intelligence cyberattacks cybersecurity multi-criteria decision-making smart grids |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-800X/3/4/31 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ayatallahbouramdane cyberattacksinsmartgridschallengesandsolvingthemulticriteriadecisionmakingforcybersecurityoptionsincludingonesthatincorporateartificialintelligenceusingananalyticalhierarchyprocess |