Greentech Lead America: Infrax Systems, a provider of
unified Smart Grid-related products and services, has launched SPIDer (Secure
Perimeter Intrusion Detection) network, a new security network to meet the
threats of copper theft and malicious attacks to power substations, generation
facilities and critical infrastructure in the electric utility Industry.
Copper theft, site destruction, and malicious activity
are occurring at an alarming rate. The costs due to the actual theft of the
copper is very small compared to the costs to repair the damage to the
equipment effected and the cost of restoring substations and critical
infrastructure to safe environments. Utilities’ smart grid cyber security
investment is expected to grow rapidly by coming years.
Investments in Smart Grid cyber security to touch $14 billion
through 2018
Cumulative smart grid cyber security investment from 2011
to 2018 will reach $14 billion. The significant increase in investment will be
driven by utility operation teams’ increase in cyber security tools over the
past 12-18 months.
The SPIDer network meets provides a multi-level approach
to intrusion detection and alarming that is flexible, can be rapidly deployed
and configured, and can provide near real time verification of remote threats
in a cost effective solution to over 47,000 Substations.
The SPIDer network solution addresses the increased
activity of unauthorized intrusion, copper theft and site destruction of remote
critical infrastructures such as energy substations, generation facilities,
remote storage and coal yards.
The SPIDer network offers three levels of detection to
identify intruders in areas that are secure and restricted.
The first level utilizes electronically charged coaxial
cables that are attached to chain link fencing. Excessive fence movement will
set off an alarm indicating that an attempt to breach the security perimeter
has occurred. The Level one configuration is a very cost effective means to
secure critical infrastructure and meet general system security requirements.
The second level consists of a visual intrusion
monitoring network. This wireless and battery operated network of image sensors
communicates to the security center through the cellular network. The network
provides 24/7 monitoring and notification via visual and infrared sensors and
transmits images through the internet and email to security personnel. Once
motion is detected, an alarm is sent to the security team along with a high
definition picture that will allow identification of the threat.
The third level is a multi-level detection and
verification network that uses both level one and level two sensors to rapidly
identify a potential threat and provide information for a rapid decision. The
combination of the two systems provides a high level of security
while minimizing false alarms.