In the NRRI Insights paper, “Understanding Cyber Attacks and Available Cybersecurity Technologies,” authors Karen Wayland, Peter Fischer and Chuck Louisell describe how various technologies that produce and transmit data through connections to the grid create increased cybersecurity vulnerabilities.  The growing connectivity between the grid and customer devices increases cybersecurity vulnerabilities and broadens the threat landscape by expanding the number of potential entry points through which malicious cyberattacks can be launched.
 
“Cyber threats to the grid are increasing at a rapid pace,” said NRRI Director Carl Pechman, PhD. “This paper will help regulators to understand the kinds of threats the utility industry is facing and the potential methods for protecting against them.”