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February 2, 2011
Protecting the smart grid with wireless data communications
Protecting the smart grid with wireless data communications
By Matthias van Doorn, Product Manager for Ethernet and Licensed Radio Systems at FreeWave Technologies
Direct link to published article on Smart Grid News: http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/Technologies_Security/Protecting-the-smart-grid-with-wireless-data-communications-3447.html
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As the need for reliable, real-time data communication in mission-critical SCADA systems continues to increase, electric power utilities are looking for new and better ways to improve the reliability and security of their communication infrastructure.
The smart grid is a part of the critical infrastructure that is composed of all the services and assets that make civilized life possible. It also includes our water supply, heating, electricity, telecommunication, oil and gas, transportation systems, airports, harbors, financial services (banking), public health services, public safety and many other items.
The one common link between all the components of the infrastructure is computers. With the introduction of computer technology, the proliferation of networks has enabled data exchange between computers and given birth to the Internet. Now, mankind is experiencing the dawn of a new, virtual environment aptly named “cyberspace.”
The evolution of cyberspace has also made it both more attractive and more vulnerable to exploitation. There has been an increase in attacks, stealing, corruption, harm and destruction to our systems.
A class of wireless data transmission radios exists that is proven to be both cost-effective and secure. These long-range radios offer a high throughput, both upstream and downstream. As far as communication technologies, distribution automation is a time-sensitive application. A lot of the equipment requires very low latency – meaning the time it takes for control signals or packets to travel across the link and cause the intended action. These wireless radios especially have high throughput and very fast latency – so they are more suitable for automation for SCADA applications.
Threats on the smart grid today
Two of the most common security threats to the smart grid today are Denial of Service (DoS) and intrusion.
DoS is an attempt to make a computer resource or network unavailable to its intended users. DoS could be as simple as jamming an electric or electromagnetic signal or as sophisticated as saturating a system or network with communication and data traffic intended to overwhelm and avoid legitimate data to get through and be processed.
Penetrating and intruding into a network or computer resource requires a different level of sophistication. Consequences can range from simply spying or stealing information to corrupting data or maliciously and intentionally causing harm or destruction by taking over network and/or computers and control systems.
Wired vs wireless
Unlike traditional wire-line data communication, which typically uses copper or fiber-optic cable between communication endpoints, wireless data communication is based on electromagnetic waves using radio frequencies (RF) propagating through open space, literally the air. This gives wireless some unique advantages, as communication endpoints don’t need to be tied down to a fixed location and dependent upon a physical cable. In addition, running cable, conduit or even digging trenches can be a time-consuming, expensive and sometimes dangerous proposition.
The flexibility of wireless data communication comes at a price though. Electromagnetic waves are non-discriminatory when it comes to access. A wired connection requires physical access to the cable. Wireless connections can be made anywhere along the path on which the electromagnetic waves propagate. Consequently, security (as in secure access) becomes much more important for wireless data communication.
Wireless resiliency
The electric grid has been recognized as a prime strategic target for attacks since back in World War II, when allied bombing raids on power plants, substations and electric transmission lines attempted to reduce the industrial capacity and output of the enemy by depriving them of the much-needed electricity to run those factories.
In 1941 Hedy Lamarr, an Austria-born actress, together with George Antheil, co-patented a “secret communication system” where coordinated, rapid changes in radio frequencies “hop” in the radio spectrum, thus evading detection and the potential of interference.
Lamar’s idea was ahead of its time and not implemented in the U.S. until 1962. It is now the basis for modern Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) wireless communication systems. FHSS wireless systems are very resilient when it comes to impairments such as interference (deliberate or coincidental) and “jamming,” making DoS attacks on FHSS systems difficult if not completely impossible.
However, a resilient wireless system needs more than a rugged transmission system. Access control is one of the most important security features to prevent unauthorized access and intrusion. It is the equivalent of the security guard at the main door of an office building who makes sure only people with the correct badge can enter. In addition, encryption provides an extra layer of protection and maintains the privacy of the actual data between the sender and recipient. These are just a few basic features that can help with creating a resilient wireless data communication system for critical infrastructure.
Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If we don’t start building and properly implementing adequate protections for our wireless data communication networks, (especially for our critical infrastructure, with the goal of making them more resilient) malicious hackers will keep exploiting, attacking and ultimately destroying our way of life.
Matthias van Doorn is the product manager for ethernet and licensed radio systems at FreeWave Technologies Inc. He has more than 15 years experience in the telecommunications industry and previously has worked for CalAmp Corp., ADC Telecommunications, Digi International and Siemens.
FreeWave Technologies Introduces First Licensed Spectrum Data Radio for International Markets New LRS radios designed for customers in Europe, Canada, Latin America and New Zealand
FreeWave Technologies Introduces First Licensed Spectrum Data Radio for International Markets New LRS radios designed for customers in Europe, Canada, Latin America and New Zealand
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 1, 2011 — DISTRIBUTECH 2011 — Booth #1344 — FreeWave Technologies, (http://www.freewave.com), manufacturer of the most reliable, high-performance spread spectrum and licensed spectrum radios for mission critical data transmission, today introduced its new LRS data radios for robust industrial wireless data connectivity using licensed spectrum outside the USA. The new data radios expand and complement the already existing licensed spectrum product offerings from FreeWave, demonstrating its global leadership.
FreeWave’s family of licensed radio offerings includes the narrow band licensed frequencies of 400 MHz, 455 MHz, 700 MHz and 1.4 GHz, and is an ideal solution for SCADA applications in oil and gas, water/wastewater, Smart Grid, precision agriculture and similar industrial markets.
The new LRS radios are designed to meet the communication standards in international markets and support the respective licensed spectrum frequencies.
Already European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) certified for use in more than 27 European countries, plus Canada, Mexico and New Zealand, the LRS Series radios offer superior RF link budgets through higher RF receive sensitivity, rather than increased RF output power. The resulting lower power consumption of the LRS radios not only makes them more suitable for remote installations and solar power than other licensed spectrum products on the market, it also allows for significant cost savings.
As true serial data radios, the LRS series radios provide optimum use of the available bandwidth in narrow-band UHF channels without the protocol overhead of native-IP radios. The LRS series, including the new ETSI approved radios, operates in licensed UHF frequencies(406 – 430 MHz and 435 MHz to 470 MHz) for exclusive, non-shared use of the RF spectrum, decreasing the likelihood of congestionor interference. The radios are housed inside an industrial-grade, small and rugged enclosure that offers mounting and installation versatility, including a DIN rail mounting option, with all connectors conveniently located on one side of the enclosure.
“The LRS series radios are an ideal solution for mission critical data transmission in narrow-band licensed spectrum and offer both superior performance and the proven reliability and quality that our customers have come to know and expect in our products,” said Matthias van Doorn, product manager, Ethernet & licensed radio systems at FreeWave.
“Customers who deploy these radios in remote locations that depend on battery power and solar charging will appreciate the industry-leading RF receive sensitivity and performance to support longer links even without high RF output power and associated high current draw that other products in the market require,” van Doorn explained. “And unlike native-IP radios, the LRS Series does not get burdened with protocol overhead for its serial data communication, resulting in better throughput, faster polling cycles and an increased number of remote radios that can be polled from the same master site. This results in significant savings for our customers and may help explain why FreeWave LRS radios will fast become the preferred choice for narrow-band licensed spectrum applications worldwide.” Availability, Configurations, and Pricing The LRS-455 EU Series is available now and can be purchased in multiple configurations, including point-to-point and point-to-multipoint, slave or repeater.
Pricing varies, depending upon customer configuration.
About FreeWave Technologies
Founded in 1993, FreeWave Technologies manufactures the most reliable, high performing, lowest power consumption, spread spectrum and licensed radios for mission-critical data transmission. Through engineering excellence and a relentless commitment to best-in-class manufacturing, FreeWave customers enjoy superior radio up-time, range and the lowest cost of ownership available. Based in Boulder, Colorado, FreeWave designs and manufactures radios that are the leading choice for oil and gas, utility, military and numerous other industrial applications. Organizations that count on radio data communications for operational success – where failure and down-time are not an option – trust FreeWave for custom network design, system engineering and customer support that is unparalleled in the market. For additional information, contact FreeWave directly at 866.399.4930 or at newsinfo@freewave.com. Visit the company’s website at www.freewave.com.
Press Contact: Christin Jeffers Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760 ext. 19 cjeffers@catapultpr-ir.com
