February 21, 2017: Invited Speaker Seminar: Smart Grid Security

Mohammad Esmalifalak, Ph.D.
University of Houston

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 10:45 am
Room EV003.309

Abstract

In modern smart grid networks, the traditional power grid is empowered by technological advances in sensing, measurement, and control devices with two-way communications between the suppliers and consumers. The smart grid integration helps the power grid networks to be smarter, but it also increases the risk of attacks because of the existing obsolete cyber-infrastructure. We will first talk about smart grid itself and why it is different than conventional power grid then, we will describe the smart grid mathematical model and how it could be vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

After talking about cyber-attack potentials from attacker point of view, we will formulate the problem of detecting these types of attacks from defender point of view. As an example, we will use machine learning methods (such as Anomaly Detection and SVM methods) to distinguish normal and attacked operating points. Finally, we will conclude the presentation with future work and answering questions from the audiences.

Biography

Dr. Esmalifalak defended his Ph.D. in the multidisciplinary area of cyber security and power systems in the University of Houston, Texas (August 2013). Since 2013, he joined power industry and worked for two of the large power and engineering firms in the world (KBR and Kiewit Engineering corporations).

He was responsible for power system studies and design of many oil and gas and power plant projects in North American and also African countries. Being familiar with actual equipment and engineering process in power industry, his research interest includes power system security and optimization and also smart grid which is the next generation of conventional power grid.