The security of your organization’s electrical substations determines the reliability of the electrical grid in your city, county and state. The ever increasing attacks on electrical substations by thieves and the ongoing threat of terrorist and saboteur attack makes continual reevaluation of substation security programs a necessity.
This article first identifies the type and frequency of security threats facing critical electric substations, then outlines a layered approach to power substation security. It closes with a listing of the most effective security measures.
For more information on our substation security services please contact us today >>
>> Frequency and Type of Power Substation Security Threats
In 2002 Cigre conducted an international study of power substation security. Out of their 40 respondents 35 reported that they had at least one unauthorized intrusion annually. 11 of their respondents reported that their power substations had 11 or more intrusions annually. 10% of the overall respondents reported 20 or more intrusions.
The surveyed organizations reported that 32% of their annual intrusions involved theft. 27% of intrusions involved vandalism, graffiti and cutting/climbing security fences.
Our conversational findings from power substation remote surveillance installations are typically higher than those found by Cigre – possibly because of the increase in power substation copper theft.
>> A Layered Approach to Power Substation Security
A layered, systems approach to power substation security delivers the highest level of cost savings. Though the approach often requires an upfront investment in security procedure development and security infrastructure, the savings can be profound.
A layered, systems approach consists of these three levels:
1) Substation Threat Deterrence Measures
2) Substation Threat Detection/Assessment Technologies
3) Substation Intrusion Response Plan
1) Substation Threat Deterrence Measures
Threat deterrence at your substation includes physical deterrents like high fencing, crash-proof vehicle gates and smart locks along with the implementation of both policies and technologies that control authorized access. If you’re experiencing unacceptable intrusion rates at your substations then revisit your existing threat deterrence efforts and evaluate our list of most effective deterrence measures below.
2) Substation Threat Detection/Assessment Technologies
Your electric substations no longer have to rely on perimeter control as the first and last defense against intrusion. Motion detection, sound detection, live video surveillance and more represent the current technologies that effectively and economically detect and assess threats to your substations.
This video in particular illustrates what live video surveillance – coupled with onsite deterrents such as sirens and strobe lights – can do to intrusive threats. At 00:18 the offsite security monitors hit the onsite sirens and the intruder flees:
3) Substation Intrusion Response Plan
It’s vital that your organization implement an intrusion response plan in the event that an intrusion occurs. Who in your organization determines when and if to involve the police? How do your natural disaster and malicious acts response plans differ? What is your procedure for getting a substation back online in the event of a catastrophic intrusion? These are the types of questions that your response plan must cover in order to best protect the power grid.
The combination of these three layers of security minimize your potential expenses due to malicious intrusions at your critical power substations. Read on to learn more about the best methods and practices for stopping substation intrusions.
>> Best Methods for Power Substation Security
Defending your substation against intrusion requires multiple layers of substation security. The following list provides an overview of the most powerful intrusion deterrents currently available.
1) Live Video Surveillance with Intrusion Deterrent Technologies
Live video surveillance – in which security agents remotely monitor your substations via IP cameras – makes 24/7 security a reality. Coupled with onsite theft deterrents like sirens and strobe lights that agents activate remotely, live video surveillance stops malicious intrusions and delivers accurate assessments of all substation conditions.
Learn more about how live video surveillance with on site deterrents works >>
2) Limit Access Smart Locks and Access Card Systems
Access control for authorized users can pose a significant challenge without the right technologies. Smart locks and smart access cards can communicate with your activity tracking databases so that you know who has had access to your substations and for how long. With the appropriate technologies you can differ access rights for authorized users from location to location.
3) Employee Screening
Employees pose your greatest ongoing threat from theft – they know the value of materials at your substation and they are most familiar with your security vulnerabilities. Minimize your loss due to employee assisted theft by extensively screening your employees and choosing to do business with contractors who follow similarly stringent policies.
You may also appreciate a past article of ours: Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft >>
4) Security Fencing
Security fencing is a vital layer to your substation security program. If the critical importance of a substation requires it, consider higher than normal fences, secondary perimeter fencing, a concrete footing around the base of the fences and even a solid wall.
5) Locks
Your substations should already have locks. There are other, more powerful locking technologies available though. Remote open locks require activation across the internet in order to open. Non-reproducible keys are manufactured in such a way that the keys are very difficult to open using a thief’s traditional methods.
6) Vehicle Barriers
Crash rated vehicle barriers can protect your power substation from vehicular attack. Depending on the physical layout and proximity to roads your substation could be at great risk to malicious attack by vehicle.
7) Adequate Security Lighting
Eliminate shadows completely and you’ll go a long way to deterring intruders. Bright white light that doesn’t create a glare to outside viewers provides the greatest security advantage to your substation. Lighting enables neighbors to identify threats, and creates enough light to positively identify intruders on surveillance camera.
8) Motion and Sound Detection
Motion and sound detectors can send alerts to security agents monitoring your substation at the first sign of intrusion. False alerts are high possibilities though given the open environment of most substations. These are best paired with security cameras through which remote agents can identify the potential threat.
9) Security Signage
Security signage in multiple languages tells potential intruders that their theft efforts will meet with strong opposition. This communication, backed by one or two forceful interventions can spread the word that your substations are not good targets for thieves. Never underestimate the power of communicating to potential intruders that your security team is watching them remotely through surveillance cameras.
10) Prohibit Non-Critical Storage and Staging
Never use your substations to stage or store non-critical materials. Storage of materials can create an even greater lure for thieves and incite intrusions that otherwise would not happen. When possible camouflage your storage of critical replacement parts.
11) Routine Security Review
Are all your substation’s security lights operational? Have any trees or brush grown up nearby that could allow intruders cover or even a means to climb over the fence? Do your electronic records match your written records of contractor visitation? These are the types of items your periodic review should cover.
12) Security Guards
Onsite security guards may be necessary for certain substations with high vulnerability, with high intrusion rates, that are staging construction materials, with proximity to special events or that have received specific threats. For less intensive situations security guards can provide routine night time security checks.
13) Neighbor Awareness Security Program
As in home security, any neighbors to your substation can provide an excellent line of proactive defense. Go door to door to meet your closest neighbors and request that they keep an eye on your substation and report any suspicious nighttime activity. Consider funding or promoting a neighborhood watch program.
See 10 Strategies for Community Security Organizers >>
More Substation Security Resources >>
Does Your Substation Security Program Make The Grade?
Security Guidelines for the Electricity Sector: Physical Security (PDF)
Substation Physical Security Trends – the 2002 Cigre study (DOC)
Electricity Sector – Information Sharing and Analysis Center
An Introduction to Systems Thinking (from Wikipedia)
