HINT-Sec: Hardware-in-the-loop nuclear power plant testbed for cyber security

The increasing integration of digital technologies within nuclear power plants has heightened their susceptibility to cyber threats, underscoring the need for advanced research frameworks dedicated to cybersecurity. This research introduces HINT-Sec, a high-fidelity hardware-in-the-loop testbed meticulously designed for cybersecurity research in nuclear power plants. HINT-Sec integrates a verified NPP simulator with both safety-grade and non-safety-grade programmable logic controllers, as well as distributed control systems, facilitating the realistic simulation of cyber-attacks and their consequent impacts on nuclear operations. Through comprehensive performance testing and scenario validation, the capability of HINT-Sec to accurately replicate the behavior of the APR1400 reactor under both normal and abnormal conditions is demonstrated. This capability provides a robust platform for the evaluation and development of cybersecurity measures within NPP environments. The design and implementation approach of the HINT-Sec testbed represents a significant contribution to the field of nuclear cybersecurity, ensuring that future research will be equipped to address the intricate challenges posed by cyber threats in critical infrastructure.