A Comprehensive Metric for Resilience Evaluation of Power Distribution Systems under Cyber Attacks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive method to evaluate and improve the resilience of power distribution systems against cyber attacks by combining vulnerability scoring and network analysis, validated through case studies on a modified IEEE system.

Contribution

It presents a novel resilience assessment framework integrating CVSS and network parameters, along with strategic tie-line switching to enhance system robustness under cyber threats.

Findings

Effective quantification of PDS resilience under cyber attacks.

Strategic tie-line switching improves system robustness.

Validated on IEEE 33-bus system with multiple attack scenarios.

Abstract

Power distribution systems (PDS) serve as the backbone of our modern society, ensuring electricity reaches homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. However, the increasing digitization and interconnectivity of these systems have exposed them to cyber threats. This study presents a comprehensive approach to evaluate and enhance the resilience of PDS under cyber attacks using the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) and complex network parameters. By systematically assessing vulnerabilities and computing resilience once critical CVSS thresholds are reached, this work identifies key resilience metrics including the critical loads service requirements. The proposed methodology improves system resilience through strategic tie-line switching, which is validated on the modified IEEE 33-bus system. Four case studies are conducted, illustrating the performance of the proposed methodology under various cyber attack scenarios. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach in quantifying and enhancing resilience, offering a valuable tool for PDS operators to mitigate risks and ensure continuous service delivery to critical loads during the exploitation of cyber threats.