Wi-Fi protected access for protection and automation a work in progress by CIGRE Working Group B5.22

If Wi-Fi, as defined by IEEE 802.1 li, can be secured, the economic advantages for electric utility operations are significant. Wi-Fi is the industry standard for IEEE 802.11 compliant products and we know that Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wireless Protected Access (WAP) systems are not secure. IEEE 802.11i defines how Wi-Fi systems work and it defines a new type of wireless network called a Robust Security Network (RSN) and Transitional Security Network (TSN) - RSN and WEP systems can operate in parallel. WPA and RSN share a common architecture and approach. This paper summarizes the work-in-progress of CIGRE B5.22 by describing both the survey of applications using Wi-Fi in protection and automation schemes, and the mitigation of security vulnerabilities offered by IEEE 802.11i on system reliability and performance. Design requirements and security levels needed for Wi-Fi protected access are prioritized in terms of their mitigation of risk related to critical mission protection and automation functions. Specific mechanisms needed to adequately implement Wi-Fi are identified and relate to existing or emerging standards.