Protecting Critical Power Infrastructure: A Cybersecurity Architecture for Electric Grid Protection Systems

The ongoing digitalization of power systems, particularly through the expansion of remote control and automation functions, has significantly increased the attack surface of protection systems. In Colombia, this growing exposure has driven regulatory actions such as the cybersecurity guide issued by the National Operation Council, aligned with NERC-CIP principles. This guide classifies protection systems as critical assets essential for ensuring grid reliability and operational resilience and identifies nine categories of critical cyber assets, including special protection schemes and supplementary control systems. Building on previous national assessments, ten cyberattack vectors have been identified that could compromise the integrity and operation of key assets such as rotating…