Introductory description

Much attention relating to cyber security is focussed on the digital aspects of cyber systems; all data tends to be represented as pure, abstract, ones and zeros. In reality, all these abstract ones and zeros need a physical representation in order to have an effect. That physical representation might be as electromagnetic radiation, travelling through space as a radio wave, it might be as electric charge in an electronic device or it could take a range of other forms.

Control systems gather information from a range of physical sensors (flow rate sensors, temperature gauges, accelerometers etc); after processing, they generate outputs which in turn produce physical effects via actuators (switches, motors, displays etc).

Much attention relating to communication in the cyber domain is focussed around the Internet. A range of other communication protocols and technologies are widely deployed in industrial control, vehicle and other systems.

Understanding the significant characteristics of the physical manifestations of digital information, understanding the interconnectedness of the cyber domain with the physical domain via sensors and actuators, and understanding non-Internet technologies and protocols reduces the risk of inadvertently leaving a cyber system in a vulnerable position.

The overall aim of this module is to enable the cyber security specialist to have a meaningful conversation with practising engineers concerning the security of cyber-physical systems.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Electronics:

• voltage, current, power,
• resistance, capacitance, inductance,
• direct current,
• alternating current, amplitude, frequency, phase
  Electronic devices:
• linear (resistor, capacitor, inductor)
  Radio communications:
• signals, gain,
• electromagnetic radiation, frequency, wavelength, antenna
• encoding, modulation, amplification, transmission, reception, amplification, demodulation, decoding,
  Protocols:
• Such as GSM, WiFi, Bluetooth, CANBUS, Profibus, Instabus,
  Systems:
• SCADA, Smart Grid, buildings, vehicles
• cyber security consequences,

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Analyse the cyber security characteristics of selected cyber-physical technologies
• Analyse the significant cyber security characteristics of selected cyber-physical protocols.
• Critically evaluate the cyber security constraints in selected cyber-physical domains.
• Analyse the security implications of EM spectrum usage in cyber physical systems.

Indicative reading list

Storey, N; Electronics: a Systems Approach; Pearson; (5ed)
Carr, JJ & Hippsley, GW; Practical Antenna Handbook; McGraw-Hill (5ed)
Mo, Y et al; Cyber–Physical Security of a
Smart Grid Infrastructure; Proceedings of the IEEE Vol. 100, No. 1, January 2012

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Recognise the important differences between the cyber security requirements of conventional IT systems, and those of cyber physical systems.

Transferable skills

Problem solving, organisational awareness