Distributed Blockchain-Based Authentication and Authorization Protocol for Smart Grid

• Main Authors: Yuxin Zhong, Mi Zhou, Jiangnan Li, Jiahui Chen, Yan Liu, Yun Zhao, Muchuang Hu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi-Wiley 2021-01-01
• Series: Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5560621

Authentication and authorization (A & A) mechanisms are critical to the security of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Smart grid system processing and exchanging data without human intervention, known as smart grids, are well-known as IoT scenarios. Entities in such smart grid systems need to identify and validate one another and ensure the integrity of data exchange mechanisms. However, at present, most commonly used A & A protocols are centralized, resulting in security risks such as information leaks, illegal access, and identity theft. In this study, we propose a new distributed A & A protocol for smart grid networks based on blockchain technology to address with these risks. The proposed protocol integrates the decentralized authentication and immutable ledger characteristics of blockchain architectures suitable for power systems with a novel blockchain technique to realize both identity authentication and resource authorization for smart grid systems. We discuss the security of and threat models for prior A & A protocols and demonstrate how our protocol protects against these threats. We further demonstrate an approach to a real deployment of our A & A protocol using the FISCO consortium platform, applying algorithms from smart contract systems. Finally, we present the results of experimental simulations showing the efficacy and efficiency of our proposed protocol.