Strategy and Role-based Model of Security Access Control for Smart Grids Computer Networks

Recent development of microgrids in power systems, introduction of open access competition by governments in electricity industries, and increased use of network-controlled devices in power systems have resulted utilities in a greater reliance on computer networks for proper power-grid operations. This paper proposes a new network access control strategy and role-based model to increase the power-grid network security. The new model extends the network access control from a single security domain to multiple domains for interconnected microgrids. This paper also proposes a security policy managing method using XML to simplify power-grid network security administrations. With the proposed method, the authorization is independently defined and separated from policy representations and implementation mechanisms, and a digital credential is introduced to establish trust and role assignments for users in different microgrid domains. Case studies of the new model are presented.