Safeguarding a flying robot, designed to investigate the state of Smart Grid, against cyberattacks

This paper introduces a flying robot designed to serve as a modern instrument for investigating the state of smart grid components. The robot is equipped with diverse sensor types, including thermal and vision-based systems, to capture high-definition aerial images and thermal data crucial for inspecting electrical power systems. Employing a UAV in such a field introduces significant security considerations, such as potential GPS signal manipulation and other cyber threats. To secure our UAV data, we propose a blockchain-based approach combined with a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) system. Our contribution includes the development and implementation of a robust security framework that integrates WORM (Write Once Read Many) technology with MFA to ensure data integrity and prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, we provide a detailed analysis of potential cyber-attacks on UAVs, emphasizing the specific threats posed to UAV operations in smart grid inspections. The results of this analysis inform the design of our security measures, which are validated through three simulations. The first simulation demonstrates the protection of data integrity and access using WORM and MFA. The second experiment illustrates the successful prevention of a spoofing attack through the MFA process. Finally, the third simulation depicts the ability of the UAV to detect and respond to cyberattacks in real-time. These results underscore the system’s resilience against various cyber threats, ensuring the reliable and secure operation of UAVs in smart grid inspections.