Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networks

In the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) network of a smart grid, the network switch is connected to multiple Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) that are based on protective relays. False-Data Injection Attacks (FDIA), Remote-Tripping Command Injection (RTCI), and System Reconfigur...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nabeel Al-Qirim, Munir Majdalawieh, Anoud Bani-hani, Hussam Al Hamadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Engineering Business Management
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/18479790251328183
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849393494226894848
author Nabeel Al-Qirim
Munir Majdalawieh
Anoud Bani-hani
Hussam Al Hamadi
author_facet Nabeel Al-Qirim
Munir Majdalawieh
Anoud Bani-hani
Hussam Al Hamadi
author_sort Nabeel Al-Qirim
collection DOAJ
description In the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) network of a smart grid, the network switch is connected to multiple Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) that are based on protective relays. False-Data Injection Attacks (FDIA), Remote-Tripping Command Injection (RTCI), and System Reconfiguration Attacks (SRA) are three types of cyber-attacks on SCADA networks, resulting in single-line-to-ground (SLG) fault, IED-relay failure, and circuit-breaker open issues occur. The existing cyber threat intelligence (CTI) approaches of grids are unable to provide visualization of cyber-attacking grid effects. To understand the full effect of the attacks, there is a need for a knowledge-graph method-based digital-twin cyber-attack visualization approach in SCADA networks, which is missing in existing SCADA systems. This study presents a novel “Digital-twin and Machine Learning-based SCADA Cyber Threat Intelligence (DT-ML-SCADA-CTI)” approach, which utilizes an innovative algorithm to visualize and predict the effects of cyber-attacks, including FDIA, RTCI, and SRA, on SCADA systems. The process begins with data transformation to generate cyber-attack grid data, which is then analyzed for attack prediction using machine learning models such as Extra-Trees, XGBoost, Random Forest, Bootstrap Aggregating, and Logistic Regression. To further enhance the analysis, a directed-graph (DiGraph) algorithm is applied to create a knowledge-graph-based digital twin, allowing for a deeper understanding of how these cyber-attacks impact SCADA operations. The comparison with existing models demonstrates the superiority of the proposed approach, as it offers a more detailed and clearer digital-twin representation of cyber-attack effects. This enhanced visualization provides deeper insights into attack dynamics and significantly improves predictive accuracy, showcasing the effectiveness of the proposed method in understanding and mitigating cyber threats.
format Article
id doaj-art-ca2a0de66ff541a89fe24e4a7b893c49
institution Kabale University
issn 1847-9790
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher SAGE Publishing
record_format Article
series International Journal of Engineering Business Management
spelling doaj-art-ca2a0de66ff541a89fe24e4a7b893c492025-08-20T03:40:24ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Engineering Business Management1847-97902025-03-011710.1177/18479790251328183Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networksNabeel Al-QirimMunir MajdalawiehAnoud Bani-haniHussam Al HamadiIn the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) network of a smart grid, the network switch is connected to multiple Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) that are based on protective relays. False-Data Injection Attacks (FDIA), Remote-Tripping Command Injection (RTCI), and System Reconfiguration Attacks (SRA) are three types of cyber-attacks on SCADA networks, resulting in single-line-to-ground (SLG) fault, IED-relay failure, and circuit-breaker open issues occur. The existing cyber threat intelligence (CTI) approaches of grids are unable to provide visualization of cyber-attacking grid effects. To understand the full effect of the attacks, there is a need for a knowledge-graph method-based digital-twin cyber-attack visualization approach in SCADA networks, which is missing in existing SCADA systems. This study presents a novel “Digital-twin and Machine Learning-based SCADA Cyber Threat Intelligence (DT-ML-SCADA-CTI)” approach, which utilizes an innovative algorithm to visualize and predict the effects of cyber-attacks, including FDIA, RTCI, and SRA, on SCADA systems. The process begins with data transformation to generate cyber-attack grid data, which is then analyzed for attack prediction using machine learning models such as Extra-Trees, XGBoost, Random Forest, Bootstrap Aggregating, and Logistic Regression. To further enhance the analysis, a directed-graph (DiGraph) algorithm is applied to create a knowledge-graph-based digital twin, allowing for a deeper understanding of how these cyber-attacks impact SCADA operations. The comparison with existing models demonstrates the superiority of the proposed approach, as it offers a more detailed and clearer digital-twin representation of cyber-attack effects. This enhanced visualization provides deeper insights into attack dynamics and significantly improves predictive accuracy, showcasing the effectiveness of the proposed method in understanding and mitigating cyber threats.https://doi.org/10.1177/18479790251328183
spellingShingle Nabeel Al-Qirim
Munir Majdalawieh
Anoud Bani-hani
Hussam Al Hamadi
Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networks
International Journal of Engineering Business Management
title Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networks
title_full Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networks
title_fullStr Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networks
title_full_unstemmed Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networks
title_short Cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs, digital twins, and hybrid machine learning in SCADA networks
title_sort cyber threat intelligence for smart grids using knowledge graphs digital twins and hybrid machine learning in scada networks
url https://doi.org/10.1177/18479790251328183
work_keys_str_mv AT nabeelalqirim cyberthreatintelligenceforsmartgridsusingknowledgegraphsdigitaltwinsandhybridmachinelearninginscadanetworks
AT munirmajdalawieh cyberthreatintelligenceforsmartgridsusingknowledgegraphsdigitaltwinsandhybridmachinelearninginscadanetworks
AT anoudbanihani cyberthreatintelligenceforsmartgridsusingknowledgegraphsdigitaltwinsandhybridmachinelearninginscadanetworks
AT hussamalhamadi cyberthreatintelligenceforsmartgridsusingknowledgegraphsdigitaltwinsandhybridmachinelearninginscadanetworks