Smart Meter Vulnerability Assessment Under Cyberattack Events – An Attempt to Safeguard

Abstract

Global smart meter deployment is gradually increasing throughout the world due to the apparent benefits over traditional meters. The most crucial framework Smart Grid comprises the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Smart meters are the most pivotal and revolutionary component of the AMI which are capable of changing the face of the current energy consumption scenario. Smart Meters will not just be a sustainable alternative but will also benefit the various stakeholders economically and socially. While the Smart meter is one of the most revolutionary ideas in the field of energy management we cannot overlook the various threats and security concerns accompanying it. The automation of energy meters and the vast amount of user data that it can access exposes the consumer to breach of privacy and various threats. This is why cybersecurity has been one of the major concerns for companies deploying smart grids and smart metering technologies. In this article, an in-depth look into the many forms of smart meter attacks and vulnerabilities, as well as possible countermeasures, is presented. This paper also provides an opportunistic framework by providing a cryptographically based Attack detection model implemented on Python. Hence this paper will provide a better understanding of the vulnerabilities of a smart meter for researchers and provide a base to propose and improvise protection techniques so that smart meters can be used safely and securely.