Cryptographically Anchored Distributed Ledgers for Smart Grid Cybersecurity: An Attribute-Oriented Framework

This article provides an overview of the applications of cryptographically anchored distributed ledgers in supporting smart grid cybersecurity. The discussion focuses on multi-layer cyber–physical architecture, smart grid cybersecurity requirements, information security attributes, distributed ledger mechanisms, and technical limitations. Distributed consensus algorithms and smart contracts are analyzed as conditions under which ledger writing can support smart grid security functions. The literature is then synthesized across identity and authentication, access control and policy enforcement, data integrity and tamper protection, resilient communication, and privacy protection. Based on this, the BC-Sec-SG framework was proposed to structure the requirements, architectural layers, consensus algorithms, ledger mechanisms, and constraints from the perspective of information security attributes. Blockchain technology is considered a complement to existing security mechanisms, not a substitute for them.