# PROTECT-GRIDS (Proactive Remediation and Organized Tactics for Effective Cybersecurity of Targeted Grid (market) Retailers In Distribution Systems)

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Purdue University (IN) · $299,429

## Abstract

The U.S. energy sector has experienced a sharp rise in cyberattacks, particularly targeting electricity market participants at the distribution level. These participants—such as retailers representing distributed energy resources (DERs) and smart homes—are essential to modern electricity markets but also introduce new vulnerabilities. Among the most dangerous threats are coordinated false data injection (FDI) attacks that manipulate market data to disrupt power dispatch, pricing, and system configurations. These attacks can result in power outages, inflated prices, voltage instability, and grid congestion. Despite advancements in cybersecurity research, there is currently no cohesive solution for both detecting and remediating such coordinated cyberattacks on distribution-level market retailers. This project addresses that critical gap, which aligns with the NSF’s mission to advance the energy infrastructure by integrating innovative technologies and solutions to ensure reliability and robustness of power systems against emerging threats. It also contributes to the emerging field of smart grid cybersecurity, with a special focus on market-based operations. The intellectual merit of this proposed project includes the design of a cohesive protection framework that combines detection and proactive mitigation to minimize the impact of coordinated FDI cyberattacks, alongside post-attack remediation to fully resolve operational issues caused by these attacks on DER retailers and sm

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2502685
- **Awardee organization:** Purdue University (IN)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YRXVL4JYCEF5
- **PI:** Arash Asrari
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Machine Learning Theory, QUANTUM COMMUNICATION, CYBER SECURITY ACT PROPOSALS
- **Estimated total:** $299,429
- **Funds obligated:** $299,429
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2502685

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2502685, PROTECT-GRIDS (Proactive Remediation and Organized Tactics for Effective Cybersecurity of Targeted Grid (market) Retailers In Distribution Systems). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2502685. Licensed CC0.

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