With rapid expansion of smart metering and AMI technologies, the utility needed to validate the security posture of its existing infrastructure. Potential risks across RF mesh networks, concentrators, smart meters, firmware, cryptographic schemes, and field communications required detailed assessment. Leadership sought a clear understanding of architectural gaps, component-level vulnerabilities, communication weaknesses, and risks that could affect smart grid integrity and consumer data security.
1. Smart Grid & AMI Architecture Review
Evaluated both high-level and low-level architecture, identified environment gaps, validated against NISTIR 7628 requirements, and produced updated architecture models.
2. AMI Components Security Evaluation
Reviewed meter firmware, collectors, concentrators, terminal-to-meter authentication, network segmentation, and operational processes.
3. Communications Security Review
Analyzed RF Mesh, WAN, terminal communication flows, ACLs, VLAN configurations, firewall rules, and routing controls.
4. Cryptographic Controls Assessment
Investigated encryption schemas, key lifecycle, secure key injection, secure channel establishment, and hardware-based cryptographic processes across the AMI ecosystem.
5. Penetration Testing
Performed targeted penetration testing of meters, collectors, network nodes, and AMI interfaces, identifying risks from physical access, authentication bypass, and external exposure.
6. Security Risk Assessment
Consolidated all findings into a unified risk assessment report covering vulnerabilities, cryptographic issues, communications risks, architectural gaps, and remediation priorities.
