More info
Description / Abstract:
This trial use standard defines a cryptographic protocol to
provide integrity, and optional confidentiality, for cyber security
of substation serial links. It does not address specific
applications or hardware implementations, and is independent of the
underlying communications protocol.
Purpose
The elevated concern of cyber security throughout the power
industry has created a need to protect communications to and from
substations. This trial use standard defines a cryptographic
protocol known as Substation Serial Protection Protocol (SSPP) that
can protect the integrity and optional confidentiality of
asynchronous serial communications typically used by substation
equipment. SSPP is primarily intended to protect serial SCADA
communications, but can be applied to other serial communications –
such as the maintenance ports of IEDs. SSPP is largely independent
of the underlying communications link and protocol (e.g. Modbus,
DNP3), and is appropriate for serial communications over leased
lines, dial-up lines, multi-drop links radio, power line carrier,
fiber optic, etc. SSPP is suitable for implementation in new
equipment or for deployment in bump-in-the-wire devices
retrofitting protection to existing systems.