Hardware-based Detection of Malicious Firmware Modification in Microgrids

Microgrids play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable and resilient energy solutions. However, their remote accessibility and control functionalities make them susceptible to cybersecurity threats. In particular, components such as Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Boards deployed in Microgrids are prime targets for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise the integrity and functionality of power systems. To address this threat, we propose a comprehensive methodology that integrates custom-built Hardware Performance Counters (HPCs) with Time Series Classifiers (TSCs) to efficiently detect malicious firmware in critical components operating within a Microgrid setup. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, achieving up to 100% accuracy in detecting firmware modification attacks. This method represents a significant stride in the Design-for-Security (DfS) paradigm, bolstering the resilience of microgrids against cyber threats and safeguarding critical infrastructure.