User privacy-enhanced security architecture for home area network of Smartgrid

Smartgrid is a next-generation intelligent electrical grid that enables a two-way information exchange between a customer and an electricity provider by integrating ICT (information and communications technology) into the existing electrical grid. As ICT is applied to the electrical grid, the security vulnerabilities of the existing ICT are inherited into the Smartgrid environment. These vulnerabilities could also apply to the electrical grid features. Therefore, a security technology to cope with such vulnerabilities should be investigated. In this paper, in order to study a HAN (Home Area Network) of Smartgrid that primarily handles customers’ personal information, we propose a HAN-centric Smartgrid logical architecture, based on the analysis of existing reference models. Further, we propose a security architecture that was made by applying security functions to the HAN logical architecture to prevent security threats, which can happen because of the security vulnerabilities in a Smartgrid environment. Finally, by conducting a scenario-based verification, we demonstrate that the security effects of the proposed security architecture can protect the HAN users’ personal information and smoothly provide services for users.