Cascading Failure Propagation of Modular Cyber-Physical Power Systems Under Information Attacks

In this paper, a cascading model combining operation dynamics and network structure of modular cyber-physical power system is proposed, and the impact of malware attacks on the cascading failure of modular system is analyzed. First, considering the structural and functional characteristics of the cyber-physical power system, a heterogeneous modular coupled network model is established. Then, the effects of malware spreading in information network and power flow overload in power grid on the cascading failure are analyzed. Finally, the impacts of attack strategies, community structure strength and coupling mode on the cascading failure are investigated. The results indicate that there is an optimal time point for malware to attack the power grid, and the attack strategy based on betweenness distribution of power nodes is more destructive. Furthermore, each initial propagation time of malware corresponds to a specific community structure strength of information network, which makes malware attacks more effective. Moreover, the disassortative coupling mode can improve the robustness of the system against malware attacks.