Ciena Insights
Three of the top challenges that face today’s utilities in modernizing the electric grid are the transition from TDM to packet, IT/OT convergence, and security and compliance. These challenges highlight key areas where packet-networking technology can facilitate these utility network transformations.
Virtualization of services provides reliable, logical separation and prioritization of different traffic types over a common converged packet-optical network. This can be done with great operational flexibility via DWDM wavelengths, OTN timeslots and/or Ethernet virtual circuits. SDN/NFV service orchestration abstracts the complexity of underlying virtual and physical domains, eliminates separate IT and OT silos, and automates and optimizes end-to-end delivery.
Defending utility networks and control systems is also a key concern. Under NERC CIP requirements, utilities must identify critical assets and regularly perform a risk analysis of those assets. Policies are required for monitoring, configuring, and controlling access to critical assets, and deploying systems for monitoring security events. Cyber (firewall) and physical perimeter security, especially at substations, is required. In addition, utilities must have comprehensive contingency plans for cyber attacks, and other unplanned disruptions such as those caused by natural disasters.
Robust security tools—from bulk encryption to user authentication and network-based access controls—are built into Ciena’s advanced packet-optical platforms.