Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Draft IEC 62351-90-2 Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) of encrypted communications

IEC TC 57 just published a very crucial draft document proposing a new topic to the security of communication in power delivery systems applicable to DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 60870-6 (TASE.2), IEC 61850 and the like:
57/1792/DC
Proposed draft for IEC TR 62351-90-2, Power systems management and associated information exchange – Data and communications security –
Part 90-2 Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) of encrypted communications

The standard series IEC 62351 comprises methods to secure communication channels between IEDs and between IEDs and SCADA systems. Complex communication networks have to be monitored and health-checked properly, both from an operational and from a security perspective.
The monitoring process used is called Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), and relies on the availability of the whole payload for inspection. The need for DPI on communication channels between IEDs and SCADA and/or between IEDs by an independent third party is really important.
This report serves as a guide for the implementation of DPI in encrypted communications. It is intended as an overview of existing and possible new solutions for DPI, analyzing the impact on several factors, including security, performance and cost.

Monday, November 21, 2016

NEW HW: IEC 61850-9-2 LE Sampled Value Publisher

The SystemCorp "IEC 61850-9-2 LE Sampled Value Publisher" is a hardware platform for specific sampled value publisher applications for the Smart Grid IoT Platform from Novtech using the Altera (now part of Intel) dual core ARM/FPGA Cyclone V SoC.
This Smart Grid IoT Platform provides eight high precision analogue inputs. The A/D converter is directly controlled by the FPGA producing the sampling rate required for the SV publisher,   which is implemented in one ARM core.
The Sampled Values are published at a rate of 4000 frames per second for a grid frequency of 50Hz and 4800 frames per second for 60 Hz.
An eight channel VT/CT interface module is also available from SystemCORP Embedded technology allowing a direct connection of the Smart Grid IoT Platform to 110 V VTs and 5 A CTs.





Click HERE for downloading a two page description and additional information [pdf, 390 KB].

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Crucial IEEE 802 And Other IEEE Standards For Free Download

The IEEE Get program grants public access to view and download current individual standards at no charge:

IEEE 802® Standards
IEEE 1622™ Standard: Electronic Distribution of Blank Ballots for Voting Systems | Design Automation Standards
IEEE 2600™ Standards: Hardcopy Device and System Security 
IEEE C95™ Standards: Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
IEEE/ANSI N42 Standards: Radiation Detection Standards.

Click HERE for the list of IEEE Standards available for free download.