Susceptibility of Modern Relay Protection: Will Protection From Cyber Attacks Help?

Abstract

Modern trends in relay protection (RP) based on the substitution of electromechanical protection relays (EMPR) by digital protective relays (DPR) have resulted in the emergence of an absolutely new problem, which was not known before. This problem is the possibility of an intentional remote destructive impact (IRDI) on relay protection in order to put it out of action or make it perform functions that have nothing to do with the current operational mode of protected electric equipment. Traditional and well-known methods ensuring information safety cannot fully prevent unauthorized actions of RP. The article describes a new way for the problem solution.