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T. Zseby:
"Hidden Malware Communication in Critical Infrastructures";
Talk: IEEE IAS/PELS/IES Austria Chapter Digital Transformation Technology Webinar (together with Project Sinergy), online (invited); 11-25-2021.

Communication networks are necessary for operating smart grids but also bring new risks of cyber attacks to critical infrastructures. In order to prevent detection, sophisticated malware uses hiding techniques to conceal the existence of communication structures for malware spreading, data exfiltration or command and control activities. In this talk different methods to establish hidden communication in smart grid environments are presented. It is shown how even necessary security measures, such as device authentication or digital signatures, can be turned into carriers for hidden communication. Methods to prevent or detect hidden communication channels in smart grid environments are discussed.