Assessing the Effect of Cyber-Physical Attacks on Water Distribution Systems

R. Taormina, S. Galelli, N. O. Tippenhauer, A. Ostfeld, E. Salomons

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Modern water distribution systems (WDSs) largely depend on computer networks and industrial control systems for monitoring and operational purposes. Although the adoption of these cyber-physical components has improved the reliability and quality of service, such progressive computerization may render WDSs vulnerable to cyber and cyber-physical attacks. The spectrum of potential threats is very broad, with several attacks able to cause the disclosure of critical information or service disruption at different levels - a water supply interruption, for instance. These attacks usually target the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system - i.e., the centralized computer system supervising the whole infrastructure - or the programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that locally operate pumps and valves. In this work, we introduce an EPANET-based toolbox that allows simulating the effects of cyber-physical attacks on a WDS. Plausible attack scenarios to network SCADA and PLCs are implemented in EPANET to simulate the response of a large WDS and assess how it diverges from normal operating conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWorld Environmental And Water Resources Congress 2016
Subtitle of host publicationEnvironmental, Sustainability, Groundwater, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Water Distribution Systems Analysis - Papers from Sessions of the Proceedings of the 2016 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress
EditorsChandra S. Pathak, Debra Reinhart
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages436-442
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9780784479865
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
Event16th World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2016: Environmental, Sustainability, Groundwater, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Water Distribution Systems Analysis - West Palm Beach, United States
Duration: 22 May 201626 May 2016

Publication series

NameWorld Environmental And Water Resources Congress 2016: Environmental, Sustainability, Groundwater, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Water Distribution Systems Analysis - Papers from Sessions of the Proceedings of the 2016 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress

Conference

Conference16th World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2016: Environmental, Sustainability, Groundwater, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Water Distribution Systems Analysis
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWest Palm Beach
Period22/05/1626/05/16

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© ASCE.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Science and Technology

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