Reliability of a Contamination-Detection Sensor Network in Water Distribution Systems during a Cyber-Physical Attack

The vastness of water distribution systems (WDS) makes them vulnerable to exposure different types accidental/intentional contamination. Although most such contamination events that occurred in the recent past were accidental, criminal intent was involved a few. Considering accessibility WDS and potentially harmful outcomes drinking-water contamination, online water-quality monitoring sensors are typically positioned selected locations throughout as preventive strategy. These sensors, once positioned, communicate over cyber-infrastructure layer liable cyber-physical attacks—the sensor and/or its communication system becoming compromised or network malfunctioned part components is deactivated. However, placement state-of-the-art has thus far overlooked these attack scenarios. current study attempts overcome this limitation by developing demonstrating methodology for evaluating impact on network, compromising functionality partially. Our proof-of-concept, using simple straightforward scenario, revealed vast potential examining performance networks under malfunctioning providing valuable information decision makers utilities regulators.