An Automated System for Detection of Malicious IP Addresses in Smart Meter

Originally, meters served a straightforward purpose in measuring various quantities. Analog and digital meters were employed for tracking energy consumption and related electrical parameters, storing minimal data and being relatively impervious to cyber threats. However, the landscape has changed as conventional meters are gradually giving way to smart meters, which offer enhanced functionalities and facilitate two-way communication in the evolving smart grid. While smart meters bring numerous benefits, they also introduce new challenges, particularly in terms of cyber security. As our digital era grapples with an increasing number of cyber attacks, it becomes imperative to fortify the security of smart meters. This paper proposes the development of an automated system designed to identify malicious IP addresses targeting smart meters. This system serves as an additional layer of security that proves formidable against cyber threats. It is acknowledged that implementing this security layer may slightly burden the smart meter, potentially causing increased loading times. However, smart meters don’t require rapid communication; this additional security measure remains feasible and valuable. It’s important to note that this security layer may not be universally applicable to devices like smart phones and computers due to their diverse communication needs. The essence of this paper lies in the creation of an automated system dedicated to detecting malicious IP addresses in smart meters. All the code and some details about the software are available on GitHub. By providing this automated solution, the project aims to contribute to bolstering cyber security, particularly in the context of smart meter applications, offering a practical and efficient defense against potential threats.