Composition of Cascading Failure in Physical Power System Triggered by Cyber-Attack

The interconnection between cyber and physical systems in power networks tightens the bond between the electrical grid and cyber systems. However, this integration also exposes cyber physical power systems to numerous threats. Therefore, it is essential to study the mechanisms behind cascading failures in these systems that can be caused by cyber-attack. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the model that comprises both the physical power and the cyber systems within cyber physical power systems. Secondly, employing complex network theory, we construct the topo-logical structures of both the physical power system and the cyber system. Additionally, we introduce an enhanced traffic model tailored for the physical power system. Subsequently, our research into cascading failures within and between the physical and cyber systems, triggered by cyber-attack, leads us to propose a model for the evolution and spread of such failures. We also categorize the different types of failures that can occur within the physical power system.