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Blockchain-Assisted Secure Data Exchange Architectures for SCADA-Controlled Power Systems
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Blockchain Security for SCADA Systems
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1714041
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive and critical examination of blockchain-assisted secure data exchange within SCADA-controlled power systems, motivated by the growing cybersecurity risks and trust deficits associated with increasingly digitalised and decentralised electricity infrastructures. The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the extent to which blockchain technologies can enhance the security, integrity, and resilience of SCADA data exchange while remaining compatible with the stringent performance and safety requirements of power system operations. A structured review methodology was adopted to synthesise peer-reviewed literature from power system engineering, cybersecurity, distributed ledger technologies, and related cyber-physical system domains. The analysis systematically examined SCADA communication architectures, data exchange models, blockchain fundamentals, integration paradigms, consensus mechanisms, privacy and access control strategies, interoperability challenges, and empirical pilot implementations across both developed and developing contexts. The findings reveal that conventional SCADA architectures, largely built on centralised trust and legacy protocols, are increasingly inadequate for addressing modern threat landscapes and multi-stakeholder data sharing requirements. Blockchain-assisted architectures—particularly permissioned and hybrid on-chain/off-chain models—demonstrate strong potential to improve data integrity, auditability, non-repudiation, and cross-organisational trust without disrupting real-time control functions. However, the study also identifies persistent challenges related to scalability, interoperability, governance complexity, and human capacity, which constrain large-scale deployment. Empirical evidence from pilot projects further indicates that blockchain is most effective when applied selectively at supervisory and coordination layers rather than within time-critical control loops. The study concludes that blockchain-assisted secure data exchange represents a strategically valuable complement to existing SCADA security mechanisms rather than a standalone solution. It recommends future research on performance-optimised consensus protocols, standardised integration frameworks, and the convergence of blockchain with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. Policy alignment, capacity development, and context-aware implementation strategies are also essential to support sustainable adoption, particularly in developing power system environments.
Keywords
SCADA Systems; Blockchain Technology; Secure Data Exchange; Power System Cybersecurity; Distributed Ledger Architectures; Smart Grids
References
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How to cite this paper
@article{1714041,
author = {Mujeeb A Shittu, Ibukun Olaoluwa Adeniji, Habeeb Shittu, Ifeanyi Simon Opara},
title = {Blockchain-Assisted Secure Data Exchange Architectures for SCADA-Controlled Power Systems},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2022},
volume = {6},
number = {3},
pages = {359-380},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1714041.pdf},
abstract = {This study presents a comprehensive and critical examination of blockchain-assisted secure data exchange within SCADA-controlled power systems, motivated by the growing cybersecurity risks and trust deficits associated with increasingly digitalised and decentralised electricity infrastructures. The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the extent to which blockchain technologies can enhance the security, integrity, and resilience of SCADA data exchange while remaining compatible with the stringent performance and safety requirements of power system operations. A structured review methodology was adopted to synthesise peer-reviewed literature from power system engineering, cybersecurity, distributed ledger technologies, and related cyber-physical system domains. The analysis systematically examined SCADA communication architectures, data exchange models, blockchain fundamentals, integration paradigms, consensus mechanisms, privacy and access control strategies, interoperability challenges, and empirical pilot implementations across both developed and developing contexts. The findings reveal that conventional SCADA architectures, largely built on centralised trust and legacy protocols, are increasingly inadequate for addressing modern threat landscapes and multi-stakeholder data sharing requirements. Blockchain-assisted architectures—particularly permissioned and hybrid on-chain/off-chain models—demonstrate strong potential to improve data integrity, auditability, non-repudiation, and cross-organisational trust without disrupting real-time control functions. However, the study also identifies persistent challenges related to scalability, interoperability, governance complexity, and human capacity, which constrain large-scale deployment. Empirical evidence from pilot projects further indicates that blockchain is most effective when applied selectively at supervisory and coordination layers rather than within time-critical control loops. The study concludes that blockchain-assisted secure data exchange represents a strategically valuable complement to existing SCADA security mechanisms rather than a standalone solution. It recommends future research on performance-optimised consensus protocols, standardised integration frameworks, and the convergence of blockchain with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. Policy alignment, capacity development, and context-aware implementation strategies are also essential to support sustainable adoption, particularly in developing power system environments.},
keywords = {SCADA Systems; Blockchain Technology; Secure Data Exchange; Power System Cybersecurity; Distributed Ledger Architectures; Smart Grids},
month = {September},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1714041}
}