Virtualized Experiential Learning Platform for Substation Automation and Industrial Control Cybersecurity

With the rapid spread and advent of Industry 4.0 tools and technologies, including LoT, Machine Learning, cloud, virtualization, and digital twins, many organizations around the globe have recently started to either retrain their workforce or hire experts from other industries with relevant experience to incorporate such technologies into their systems. In many cases, this transition requires hands-on experience that could be gained through hands-on training programs. However, providing such programs has become challenging with remote working routines. A Virtualized Experiential Learning Platform (VELP) has been developed recently by BCIT's Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team with the support of Future Skills Centre and industrial partners in order for trainees to get hands-on experience in critical energy infrastructure studies such as substation automation systems, microgrids, and industrial control cybersecurity. Through virtualization technologies such as digital twins, real-time simulation, and cloud, trainees can gain an adequate level of experience working with virtualized as well as physical assets and systems remotely. This paper primarily reviews VELP's features and functionalities. It then describes the steps for developing a reliable and secure virtualized experiential learning platform. Last but not least, the paper explains VELP's tools for industrial control cybersecurity training and proposes a cyber-secure topology with its components to keep such virtualization platforms cyber-secure against cyber threats.