Security Protection in Power Monitoring Systems: Technologies & Best Practices

With the continuous advancement of intelligence and informatization in power systems, power monitoring systems have become the core hub for grid dispatching, equipment control, and data acquisition. However, increased openness and interconnectivity have exposed these systems to increasingly severe security threats—such as cyberattacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access. A failure in security protection could lead to abnormal grid operations or even large-scale blackouts. Therefore, establishing a scientific and effective security defense system has become a critical challenge for the power industry.

1. Overview of Security Protection Technologies in Power Monitoring Systems

Security protection technologies for power monitoring systems are essential for ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power grid. Their primary objectives are to resist cyberattacks, prevent data leakage, block unauthorized access, and maintain controllability across the entire electricity production, transmission, and distribution chain.

The technical framework encompasses three core dimensions:

• Network Security

• Data Security

• Identity Authentication

Network security technologies, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and virtual private networks (VPNs), establish multi-layered defense barriers to block malicious traffic.
Data security technologies—such as encryption algorithms, integrity verification, and data masking—ensure confidentiality and integrity throughout the data lifecycle: from collection and transmission to storage and destruction.
Identity authentication technologies verify the authenticity of users and devices through multi-factor authentication (MFA), digital certificates, and biometric recognition, preventing account theft and privilege abuse.

In addition, an integrated "technology + management" defense system must incorporate:

• Physical security (e.g., environmental monitoring, electromagnetic shielding)

• Operational security (e.g., system hardening, security audits)

• Emergency response mechanisms (e.g., disaster recovery, vulnerability management)

As new power systems evolve, protection technologies must advance accordingly—incorporating AI-driven threat detection and zero-trust architecture with dynamic access control to combat advanced persistent threats (APT) and provide comprehensive, multi-dimensional security.

2. Key Security Protection Technologies in Power Monitoring Systems

2.1 Network Security Protection

Network security is a cornerstone of power monitoring system stability. The technical framework includes firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs.

• Firewalls serve as the first line of defense, using packet filtering and stateful inspection to deeply analyze incoming and outgoing traffic. Stateful firewalls track session states and allow only legitimate packets, effectively mitigating threats like port scanning and SYN Flood attacks.

• IDS/IPS monitor network traffic in real time using signature-based detection and anomaly analysis to identify and block intrusions. Regular updates to signature databases are essential to counter emerging threats.

• VPNs enable secure remote access via encrypted tunnels. For example, IPSec VPN uses AH and ESP protocols to provide authentication, encryption, and integrity verification—ideal for secure interconnection across geographically distributed power monitoring systems.

• Network segmentation limits the spread of attacks by dividing the system into isolated security zones. Dedicated horizontal isolation devices are deployed between the Production Control Zone and the Management Information Zone, blocking unauthorized access and protecting core control networks.

2.2 Data Security Protection

Data security in power monitoring systems must be addressed across three dimensions: encryption, integrity verification, and storage security.

• Data Encryption: A hybrid approach combining symmetric (e.g., AES) and asymmetric (e.g., RSA) encryption ensures confidentiality. For instance, SM2/SM4 national cryptographic algorithms are used in vertical encryption devices to secure dispatch data network packets, preventing data leakage.

• Integrity Verification: Digital signatures based on SHA-256 ensure data has not been tampered with. In substation automation systems, SCADA data packets are signed, allowing receivers to verify integrity in real time.

• Storage Security:

• Backup & Recovery: A "local + offsite" dual-active backup strategy, combined with snapshot and incremental backup technologies, enables rapid recovery. For example, provincial dispatch centers use NAS arrays with synchronous replication to disaster recovery sites, achieving RPO (Recovery Point Objective) within minutes.

• Access Control: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) models restrict permissions—e.g., dispatchers can view real-time data, while maintenance staff access only logs.

• Data Masking: Sensitive information (e.g., user accounts, locations) is anonymized via substitution or masking to prevent exposure.

2.3 Identity Authentication and Access Control

Identity authentication and access control must meet high standards of security and auditability.

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enhances security by combining passwords, digital certificates, and biometrics (e.g., fingerprint, iris). For example, when a dispatcher logs into the EMS system, they must enter a one-time password, insert a USB token, and verify their fingerprint.

• Digital Certificates based on PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) enable secure device authentication and key distribution. In substation vertical encryption devices, SM2 national certificates ensure mutual authentication and trusted communication.

• Fine-Grained Access Control:

• Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) dynamically assigns permissions based on user attributes (role, department), resource attributes (device type, sensitivity), and environmental factors (time, location). For instance, on-duty dispatchers can access real-time data during work hours but cannot modify equipment parameters.

• Micro-Segmentation using Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) and Zero Trust Architecture isolates systems at a granular level. In cloud-deployed monitoring systems, SDP dynamically opens access channels only after user authentication, minimizing the attack surface.

• Audit & Traceability: All authentication and access events are logged for forensic analysis. The 4A platform (Account, Authentication, Authorization, Audit) centralizes user behavior logs. SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems perform cross-system log correlation, providing an evidence chain for incident investigations.

3. Practical Implementation of Security Protection Measures

3.1 Physical Security Measures

Physical security is the foundation of system reliability, requiring a multi-layered, integrated approach.

• Environmental Monitoring: Sensors for temperature, humidity, smoke, and water detect anomalies in real time. In provincial dispatch centers, automated HVAC systems respond to threshold breaches, maintaining optimal operating conditions.

• Access Control & Video Surveillance: Integrated door access and CCTV systems monitor entry/exit 24/7, preventing unauthorized access.

• Electromagnetic Shielding: Conductive materials (e.g., copper mesh, conductive paint) are used in critical areas. Faraday cage designs in substation control rooms effectively block lightning-induced electromagnetic pulses (LEMP) and radio interference, preventing SCADA malfunctions.

• Equipment Redundancy: Dual power supplies and network links ensure continuity. Core switches in dispatch systems use hot standby mode, achieving RTO (Recovery Time Objective) in seconds.

• Environmental Resilience: Outdoor RTUs (Remote Terminal Units) are designed with explosion-proof, waterproof, and corrosion-resistant enclosures meeting IP67 standards.

• Perimeter Protection: Electronic fences and infrared beam sensors secure critical sites like substations and control centers.

3.2 Operational Security Measures

Operational security focuses on system hardening, security auditing, and vulnerability management.

• System Hardening: Unnecessary services are disabled, minimal permissions are enforced, and security policies are enabled. For example, Linux servers disable remote root login and use SSH key authentication. Firewalls restrict port access, and baseline configurations (e.g., disabling Guest accounts) are applied to OS and databases.

• Security Auditing: SIEM platforms monitor system operations, network traffic, and application behavior in real time. By correlating login logs, device operations, and network access, abnormal activities (e.g., after-hours logins, cross-region access) are detected. Behavioral modeling establishes normal baselines, triggering alerts when deviations occur.

• Vulnerability Management: A closed-loop process of detection → assessment → remediation → verification is established. Tools like Nessus or OpenVAS scan for vulnerabilities. High-risk issues (e.g., SQL injection, RCE) are prioritized. After fixes, penetration testing verifies remediation effectiveness.

3.3 Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery

A full lifecycle mechanism—Prevention → Detection → Response → Recovery—is essential.

• Risk Assessment: Identify potential threats (e.g., natural disasters, ransomware) and develop targeted emergency plans. For ransomware, plans include isolating infected devices, restoring backups, and rebuilding systems. Regular drills validate plan effectiveness.

• Response Team: Establish a dedicated team with clear roles (command, technical, logistics) for rapid incident response.

• Disaster Recovery:

• Data Backup: "Local + offsite" dual-active strategy with snapshots and incremental backups ensures fast recovery (RPO in minutes).

• System Restoration: Automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet) enable rapid re-deployment of OS and applications, minimizing RTO.

4. Conclusion

In summary, security protection technologies and measures are critical to the stable operation of power monitoring systems. By establishing technical defenses in network, data, and identity security, and integrating physical, operational, and emergency response measures, power systems can effectively resist internal and external threats.

Going forward, the defense framework must continuously evolve—incorporating intelligent analytics, zero-trust architecture, and automated response—to meet the demands of new power systems and support the secure digital transformation of the power industry.