PowerRange: An immersive cyber range for power grid operators

Power grids are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks that can disrupt operations and even cause large-scale blackouts. As these critical cyber–physical systems become more digitized and reliant on communication technologies, their attack surface increases, making cybersecurity a growing concern. While technical and organizational measures are essential, their effectiveness is limited without addressing the human factor. Practical, user-centered training is thus crucial to ensure the correct implementation and usability of security measures. However, suitable training environments for power systems remain scarce. This paper introduces PowerRange , an advanced cyber range specifically designed for power grid operators. PowerRange extends a state-of-the-art power grid co-simulator with various user interaction capabilities, including hardware-in-the-loop integration and modern control room software. It supports flexible, automated configuration of realistic scenarios, enabling immersive, hands-on cybersecurity training for key stakeholders, including management, control room staff, and IT/OT personnel. Preliminary pilot training sessions indicate that, beyond improving technical skills, PowerRange promotes cross-functional collaboration and strengthens incident response capabilities.