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IEEE Access

Lightweight Quantum Encryption for Secure Transmission of Power Data in Smart Grid

Yuancheng Li, Pan Zhang, Rong Huang

Published Jan 1, 2019• 72 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The rise of the smart grid, which applies the Internet and smart metering technologies to the power system, results in massive, heterogeneous power data and a large number of attacks on the smart grid and causes great threats to the confidentiality and integrity of the power data. At the same time, with the development of quantum information, it is possible to use quantum cryptography to protect data transmission. Aiming at the problem of data security transmission in smart grid, this paper proposes a lightweight transmission scheme for power data security. In the scheme, we combine quantum cryptography with ”one-time pad” mechanism, use a quantum random number generator which compensates the defects of the traditional random number generator and quantum key distribution protocol which ensure the security of key distribution, and design a new lightweight stream cipher encryption algorithm. Through theoretical analysis and experiments, it is proved that the proposed transmission scheme can ensure the security of power data transmission.

DOI
10.1109/access.2019.2893056

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The rise of the smart grid, which applies the Internet and smart metering technologies to the power system, results in massive, heterogeneous power data and a large number of attacks on the smart grid and causes great threats to the confidentiality and integrity of the power data. At the same time, with the development of quantum information, it is possible to use quantum cryptography to protect data transmission. Aiming at the problem of data security transmission in smart grid, this paper proposes a lightweight transmission scheme for power data security. In the scheme, we combine quantum cryptography with ”one-time pad” mechanism, use a quantum random number generator which compensates the defects of the traditional random number generator and quantum key distribution protocol which ensure the security of key distribution, and design a new lightweight stream cipher encryption algorithm. Through theoretical analysis and experiments, it is proved that the proposed transmission scheme can ensure the security of power data transmission.
The vast amounts of data and the growing number of attacks in the smart grids (SGs) are consequences of the huge reliance on information and communication technology, that is further posing serious risks to the confidentiality and integrity of the power data. On the other hand, recent advancements in quantum cryptography are emerging as foundation for secure communication protocols, offering robust defenses against potential cyber threats in SGs. In response to the imperative challenge of secure data transmission, a quantum cryptography based unconditionally secure data transmission model is proposed that integrates quantum key distribution (QKD) with classical encryption. Furthermore, truly random encryption keys generated through quantum random number generator (QRNG) are utilized that assists to overcome the limitations of pseudo-random number generator and leads to the highly immune data security mechanism. The efficacy of proposed model is evaluated through experimental results obtained over classical simulator along with real quantum computers accessed through the IBM Qiskit platform. The statistical analysis conducted on the resulting quantum states showcases a high degree of accurate measurements, thereby confirming the relevance of the proposed work.
ABSTRACT Smart grids, as critical Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) applications, demand highly secure data transmission due to their reliance on interconnected devices and networks for managing electricity. Traditional encryption methods face challenges in secure key distribution and are increasingly vulnerable to quantum attacks. This work addresses these vulnerabilities by utilizing quantum cryptography to secure data exchange in smart grid systems. The primary contributions are the implementation of multi‐level encryption algorithms, specifically Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and the BB84 protocol, to ensure robust confidentiality and integrity in data transmission, overcoming key distribution issues and providing inherent detection of eavesdropping. Our proposed system facilitates secured, real‐time monitoring, control, and optimization of electricity generation, distribution, and consumption among distributed components. The performance of this framework is evaluated based on key metrics including relative execution time, correlation analysis of plaintext versus ciphertext, and privacy amplification effectiveness, demonstrating enhanced security and operational efficiency.
Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart grids has revolutionized the energy sector, enabling real-time data collection and efficient energy distribution. However, this integration also introduces significant security challenges, particularly data encryption. Traditional encryption algorithms used in IoT are vulnerable to various attacks, and the advent of quantum computing exacerbates these vulnerabilities. To address the above challenges, this paper proposes a novel encryption mechanism, the Quantum-Resistant Hybrid Encryption for IoT (QRHE-IoT), designed to enhance the security of communications in IoT-enabled smart grids. QRHE-IoT combines the strengths of symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms and incorporates quantum-resistant algorithms to provide robust security. This paper explains the QRHE-IoT mechanism, its theoretical basis, and how it addresses the security challenges in smart grid communications. It also presents the results of tests conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of QRHE-IoT in a simulated smart grid environment. The proposed QRHE-IoT mechanism presents a promising solution to these challenges, offering robust security for smart grid communications in the face of emerging threats, including quantum computing.
The study investigates how quantum cryptography can be employed to improve security in smart grid communication networks. Attempting to use the BB84 QKD protocol, it allows secure creation and management of those cryptographic keys that cannot be broken with the help of quantum and traditional hacking techniques. It depends on symmetric encryption mechanisms like AES to provide high data confidentiality during transmission. Regarding the key management, the system provides a key management server that distributes keys to the grid nodes and performs key updating to ensure control with the managing authority. It also presents reliability under practical conditions through performance analogs such as Quantum Bit Error Rates (QBER), and system latency. This approach shows that quantum cryptography can provide a highly secure and efficient communication network for the next-generation smart grid.
The Smart Grid (SG) represents the next-generation power system in the future grid infrastructure, designed for self-healing, adaptability, and sustainability. However, the interconnected and geographically dispersed nature of SG systems introduces cybersecurity risks, potentially leading to severe incidents. Cyber attacks on SG applications could result in significant events, including outages and infrastructure damage. These attacks may compromise energy data, starting with the leakage of personal information from grid members. To address these risks, confidentiality, device authentication, and data integrity are essential, traditionally implemented through public-key cryptography (PKC). The rise of quantum computers and the potential adaptation of algorithms like Shor’s poses a threat to PKC algorithms in SG communications. In response, we propose a security protocol for post-quantum communication in SG applications, ensuring resilience against classical and quantum attacks. The protocol has been tested through rigorous informal security analysis, and comparative analysis demonstrates its scalability and effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
Smart grids face emerging threats as connectivity expands attack surfaces. To strengthen smart meter data encryption through optimized integration of a cloud-based quantum random number generator (QRNG) service. QRNGs leverage intrinsic quantum properties to produce true randomness for cryptographic keys. An architecture is presented utilizing a QRNG service on the IBM quantum computing platform. Quantum entropy is remotely sampled and delivered on-demand via APIs to generate quantum random AES encryption keys for smart meter communications. Homomorphic encryption secures credential transmission. Compared to mathematical pseudorandom number generators, the quantum origin provides stronger security against brute force attacks and future quantum computing decryption. Tailoring QRNG generation and integration focuses on the performance, cost, and deployment constraints of grid-wide encryption hardening. The optimized approach aims to maximize randomness while minimizing complexity. By hardening cryptography via readily available quantum key generation, the QRNG integration delivers indispensable security enhancement.