Cryptographic Key Management (CKM) Design Principles for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) (author)

One area of critical importance to the security of the modernized grid is cryptography. Cryptographic techniques are used to ensure confidentiality, non-repudiation, and authentication. In the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) the smart meters include multiple symmetric and/or asymmetric key pairs. With the deployment of millions of smart meters, cryptographic key management for millions of keys is a critical technical area for utilities.

The overall objective of this research project was to identify the design principles that are applicable to AMI and the management of cryptographic keys. Designing and implementing effective cryptographic key management schemes is a research area that requires the input from utilities and the cryptography community. This report may be used by utilities as they design their cryptographic key management systems and/or work with vendors to design cryptographic key management systems. The report provides specific design guidance for utilities.