Energy Fraud and Blackouts - Issues with Wireless Metering Protocols

Explore the security vulnerabilities in wireless metering protocols, specifically the Wireless Meter Bus (wM-Bus), in this Black Hat USA 2013 conference talk. Delve into the critical issues surrounding energy fraud and potential blackouts in smart grid infrastructures. Examine the challenges faced by utilities as they introduce smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Analyze the security mechanisms of the M-Bus protocol and its wireless version, uncovering weaknesses in confidentiality, integrity, and authentication. Understand the risks associated with remote disconnect capabilities and their potential impact on grid stability. Learn about vulnerabilities that could lead to zero consumption detection, disclosure of consumption values, and encryption key compromise. Gain insights into the broader implications for smart grid reliability and availability, and explore potential solutions to enhance the security of wireless metering protocols in the evolving energy landscape.