Author(s): Dionysios Nikolopoulos; Christos Makropoulos
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Cyber-physical simulation; Cyber-physical attacks; Urban water systems; Resilience
Abstract: The rapid digitalization of the water sector transforms UWSs into cyber-physical systems (CPSs) with online real-time control and monitoring, which are alarmingly exposed to cyber-physical attacks (CPAs). CPAs pose dire threats leading to system failures such as supply cut-off, heightened flood risk, and sewage overflow. In this work we present hydroinformatics solutions for the cyber-physical (CP) protection and general resilience of UWSs, in the form of a novel integrated CP simulation platform for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater networks. The platform employs a cyber layer that simulates the control components (sensors, programmable logic controllers, actuators etc.) and logic, coupled with physical models for the processes under control, using feedback loops. The platform enables the evaluation of complex cyber-physical attacks on various elements of the networks, their impacts on hydraulic processes and level of service, and the resilience of the systems under study. Proof of concept benchmark networks with various CPA scenarios are used to evaluate the platform’s capabilities and demonstrate that it can form an innovative tool to support strategic planning and risk management.
Year: 2026