cybersecurity

Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems (ECCS) Workshop

Prof. Ahmed Eltawil, Prof. Charalambos Konstantinou, Prof. Khaled Nabil Salama

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B2 L5 R5220

The workshop aims to bring together experts to present their latest research efforts related to Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems architectures and platforms that can scale efficiently, as well as operate securely and resiliently to provide the necessary resources demanded by current and future network applications.

Three papers accepted to SmartGridComm 2021

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Three papers accepted to SmartGridComm 2021. 1) " CHIMERA: A Hybrid Estimation Approach to Limit the Effects of False Data Injection Attacks on Electric Power Grid" in collaboration with Yier Jin's group from University of Florida. 2) " Cyber-Physical Disaster Response of Power Supply Using Centralised-to-Distributed Framework" in collaboration with Fei Teng's group from Imperial College London. 3) " Attack Detection and Localization in Smart Grid with Image-based Deep Learning" in collaboration with Mostafa Mohammadpourfard's group from Istanbul Technical University.

Meet KAUST new student: Ioannis Zografopoulos

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Ioannis Zografopoulos is a Ph.D. student who joined KAUST this fall as a Ph.D. candidate and member of the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems (SENTRY) Lab under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou. Zografopoulos believes that KAUST's renowned faculty, global reputation and research infrastructure make the University the ideal environment for him to develop high-quality, impactful research.

KAUST SENTRY team wins 2021 Cybersecurity Games & Conference Embedded Security Challenge

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The SENTRY Lab team wins the 18th annual CSAW Cybersecurity Games & Conference’s (CSAW '21) Embedded Security Challenge (ESC).

Blocking microgrid cyberattacks to keep the power flowing

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Power grids have become far more complex in recent decades due to energy demands, environmental regulations and small-scale renewable energy systems that turn businesses and individuals into combined consumer-producers. One way to ensure that power supplies remain resilient is to create small groups of sources and loads called microgrids. Microgrids can operate independently of the main grid when required, such as supporting hospitals during natural disasters, for example. As microgrids grow more complex, they require sophisticated computer networks to coordinate, control and distribute

Load-Altering Attacks Against Power Grids under Low-Inertia Conditions

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Load-Altering Attacks Against Power Grids under COVID-19 Low-Inertia Conditions: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our society by forcing shutdowns and shifting the way people interacted worldwide. In relation to the impacts on the electric grid, it created a significant decrease in energy demands across the globe. Recent studies have shown that the low demand conditions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns combined with large renewable generation have resulted in extremely low-inertia grid conditions. In our work, in collaboration with Subhash Lakshminarayana, University of Warwick, UK, and Juan

A Digital Twin for cybersecurity in IoT devices

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Security decoupling in IoT communications is enforced with a Digital Twin that guarantees internal traffic isolation and immediate action if any unauthorized communication attempt is detected

Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation

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Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation: Power grids are undergoing radical changes to meet energy demands, comply with environmental regulations, and improve the quality of service and system resilience. The inclusion of information and communication technologies and embedded devices enables the remote coordination, and control of microgrids (MG) and has transformed traditional power systems into cyber-physical systems. The security of MG-enabled power systems should not be overlooked given the plethora of cyberattacks against this pillar of critical

Simple hardware to defend microgrid attacks

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An inexpensive piece of hardware integrated with solar panel controllers can protect isolated power networks from cyberattacks.

An Effective Security Scheme for Attacks on Sample Value Messages in IEC 61850 Automated Substations

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The trend of transforming substations into smart automated facilities has led to their swift digitalization and automation. To facilitate data exchange among equipment within these substations, the IEC 61850 standard has become the predominant standard. However, this standardization has inadvertently made these substations more susceptible to cyberattacks, which is a significant concern given the confidential information that is transmitted. As a result, cybersecurity in substations is becoming an increasingly critical topic. IEC 62351 standard provides guidelines and considerations for

Distributed Energy Resources Cybersecurity Outlook: Vulnerabilities, Attacks, Impacts, and Mitigations

1 min read ·
The digitization and decentralization of the electric power grid represent crucial steps toward achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. In pursuit of this objective, distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar panels, battery storage systems, and electric vehicles, are increasingly integrated into power systems. These DERs offer several advantages to power utilities by reducing operational costs and deferring investments for the expansion of the power system network while also affording users and aggregators greater control over their electricity generation and

Moaaz Hasan Fayome

Moaaz Hasan Fayumy is a senior undergraduate student at MIT, specializing in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In the capacity of a researcher with the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) at KAUST, he has engaged in projects concerning the development of methods for solid-state battery 'fingerprinting', a technique designed to improve hardware security. His work is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, merging principles of electrical engineering and computer science in the context of real-world challenges. Amid the complexity and technical difficulties

Michał Forystek

M.S. Student, Computer Science
Computer Science Master's student at the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou.

Majed Mazin Zamzami

Majed Zamzami is an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is studying computer science with a focus in cybersecurity. Majed joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student with interest in cybersecurity and optimization.

Ioannis (Yannis) Zografopoulos

Ioannis Zografopoulos received his Ph.D. at the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE) of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2023. Prior, he graduated with a B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in Computer, Communications, and Network Engineering, and an M.Sc. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. His research interests include cyber-physical systems security, with an emphasis on embedded systems for industrial, distributed energy, and power grid

Hadeel A. Ameen

Hadeel is an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech, USA. She is pursuing a computer science B.S. degree minoring in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). She joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a Saudi Summer Internship (SSI) student. Hadeel is interested in cybersecurity and machine learning which allowed to enhance both her knowledge and experience in the uses and applications of different fields of computer science.

Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou

Professor Konstantinou is an expert in critical infrastructure security and resilience, focusing on smart grid technology, renewable energy integration and real-time simulation.

Ali M. AlFarhan

Ali Alfarhan is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. He is studying computer science with a minor in game design. Ali joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student, with interest in cybersecurity and optimization.

Alya AlShaikh

Alya AlShaikh is currently an undergraduate student at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, KSA. She is pursuing a Software Engineering BSc specializing in Cyber Security and Machine Learning. Alya joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Konstantinou as an Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master's (ABM) student. Her research interests include applying machine learning techniques to enhance cyber defense strategies.