Terms of Protection: The Many Faces of Smart Grid Security

A critical consideration in the development of smarter electrical grids is to ensure best security practices. Few terms in the smart grid vocabulary, however, are as overworked and overloaded (i.e., assigned multiple definitions) as the word security. Such definitions range all the way from ensuring reliability "keeping the lights on" to protecting the confidentiality of customer information. This article will attempt to explore these multiple definitions and find some common thread that can help ensure the success of the pursuit of a smarter electrical grid while maintaining security-in all of its various meanings.