journal article·2025-10-02Open access

Evaluation of Cyberattack Detection Models in Power Grids: Automated Generation of Attack Processes

Davide Cerotti, Daniele Codetta Raiteri, Giovanna Dondossola, Lavinia Egidi, Giuliana Franceschinis, Luigi Portinale, Davide Savarro, Roberta Terruggia

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 19

Abstract

The recent growing adversarial activity against critical systems, such as the power grid, has raised attention on the necessity of appropriate measures to manage the related risks. In this setting, our research focuses on developing tools for early detection of adversarial activities, taking into account the specificities of the energy sector. We developed a framework to design and deploy AI-based detection models, and since one cannot risk disrupting regular operation with on-site tests, we also included a testbed for evaluation and fine-tuning. In the test environment, adversarial activity that produces realistic artifacts can be injected and monitored, and evidence analyzed by the detection models. In this paper we concentrate on the emulation of attacks inside our framework: A tool called SecuriDN is used to define, through a graphical interface, the network in terms of devices, applications, and protection mechanisms. Using this information, SecuriDN produces sequences of attack steps (based on the MITRE ATT&CK project) that are interpreted and executed by software called Netsploit. A case study related to Distributed Energy Resources is presented in order to show the process stages, highlight the possibilities given by our framework, and discuss possible limitations and future improvements.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Smart Grid Security and Resilience · Network Security and Intrusion Detection · Advanced Malware Detection Techniques

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Computer Science Institute, DiSIT, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy

Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT), 43124 Parma, Italy

Transmission and Distribution Technologies Department, RSE Ricerca Sistema Energetico, 20134 Milano, Italy

Computer Science Department, Università di Torino, 10149 Torino, Italy

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