Rapidly Restoring the Electrical Grid after Cyberattack

the future.”

A key accomplishment of the final RADICS exercise was the transition of control from the researchers to the participants with day jobs in operational settings. Volunteers from utility companies and the National Guard took over the reins and were able to operate the technologies as they would in a real event. “We often find that research is only usable by the developers or researchers, which in my mind means it’s not operationally relevant,” said Weiss. “What really changed during exercise seven was this shift from our researchers being the people that operated the tools to the operational people taking charge and running the technologies. This program milestone is helping us chart a path for continued tech transition.”

Perhaps the most significant output of the final exercise however was proof that the RADICS tools are capable of catching threats on the grid. These tools have proven they work in the controlled, testbed environment but also already have transition into commercialized platforms. One example is Perspecta Labs’ SecureSmart solution. SecureSmart is a system for detecting wireless network intrusions, including those involving SCADAs. The system provides real-time network health, anomaly detection, security analysis, and visualization. Utilities are currently using the platform for enhanced situational awareness and network visibility, enabling faster response times to threats.

In addition to hastening the transition of RADICS-born technologies for commercial use, the testbed design and accompanying exercise format are expected to transition to the DOE. These value-added outputs of the program will continue to support training and evaluation efforts for utilities and others in the fight against cyberattacks on the nation’s critical infrastructure.

“DOE CESER and our energy sector partners realized several benefits from working with the RADICS program, most especially in utilizing testbed platforms to inform and enhance exercises, training, and workforce development goals in cyber security for energy systems. We will be examining where RADICS-style cyber-physical testbeds can and should be used to improve DOE’s preparedness and coordination efforts” said Brian Marko, CESER’s Program Manager for Energy Sector Exercises and Cyber Training.

The UIUC team is working to leverage its RADICS work to support future research and looking into how its new know-how applies to workforce development and training. Through curriculum and training development, hands-on demonstration platforms, future exercises, and integration with fundamental and applied research, the university researchers will continue to develop, adapt, and advance the platforms they have built to aid the U.S. and help close remaining