a day ago
Cyber securing India's power grids of tomorrow
The transition from a traditional power grid to a digital, decentralised network presents a unique opportunity to build an intelligent and resilient energy infrastructure. However, digitisation of legacy systems and integration of smart technologies may carry potential risks, including cyber threats and attacks. Thus, it is imperative to have a robust cybersecurity foundation in place.
From monitoring to mitigation
One of the most powerful technologies in this transformation is artificial intelligence (AI). Unlike conventional security systems that log events or raise alerts after anomalies occur, AI-powered platforms can anticipate, detect, and respond to threats in real-time. They continuously learn from operational data, identifying unusual patterns, detecting unauthorized access, and averting threats across networks. This enables faster, smarter, and autonomous responses to complex cyber risks.
Take this use case for example – the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore deployed advanced AI and machine learning (ML) tools to assist the city's electricity department. The tools monitored 1.24 lakh smart meters installed by the Madhya Pradesh Western Region Power Distribution Company in Indore and analysed consumption data in real-time. It automatically detected unusual usage patterns and potential power theft, enabling swift action and marking a shift from reactive alerts to proactive, preventive mitigation.
Securing the edge
Strong cybersecurity guardrails in smart grids are no longer limited to large, centralised control centres. As India accelerates its adoption of renewable energy, with rapid expansion in solar and wind installations, securing the grid edge—a network of smart inverters, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, field-level control systems, and remote energy assets—is important. AI plays a pivotal role in defending the grid edge by enabling real-time detection and response.
Several utility companies across states in the county are beginning to secure the grid edge using AI-powered systems. In Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has implemented smart sensors and ML algorithms to detect power theft and tampering in real-time, reducing losses and strengthening field-level visibility. Similarly, Tamil Nadu has piloted an AI-based platform to monitor distributed solar inverters and manage power quality issues, showcasing how edge intelligence can proactively detect and mitigate anomalies. These examples demonstrate AI's role in enabling real-time, decentralised defence across India's expanding renewable energy network.
Policy and ecosystem push
As AI-powered solutions show potential to secure the grid edge, it is important that these technologies are governed by a robust regulatory and institutional framework. Over the last few years, the Indian government's initiatives have strengthened cybersecurity frameworks.
In 2021, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) introduced the first cybersecurity guidelines, which were later reinforced by the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) in 2023. The guidelines presented security regulations and established a Cybersecurity Coordination Forum for real-time threat intelligence and incident response. In another initiative, the National Smart Grid Mission is accelerating the adoption of smart grids by supporting ecosystem development and promoting knowledge-sharing across stakeholders. These measures reflect that cybersecurity is an integral pillar in India's journey of grid modernisation.
Smart energy, safe future
Cyberattacks on smart grids pose a significant threat—they can disrupt beyond daily life, jeopardizing essential services such as healthcare, emergency response, water supply, and public safety infrastructure. As these grids become increasingly interconnected and data-driven, the potential attack surface grows exponentially.
It is, therefore, critical to adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, integrating advanced technologies, strong regulatory frameworks, and widespread cybersecurity awareness.
Securing smart grids requires a multi-pronged approach that includes
real-time threat detection
, secure data transmission, and regular system updates. As power grids become more connected and complex, only a deeply embedded and continuously evolving cybersecurity foundation will ensure their reliability and resilience.
(The author is Bragadesh Damodaran, Vice President and Industry Platform Leader for Energy Transition & Utilities – India, Capgemini. Views are personal.)
