Assessing Critical Edges in Cyber-Physical Power Systems Using Complex Network Theory: A Real-World Case Study

Cyber-physical power systems (CPPSs) are increasingly vital to the reliable and resilient operation of modern electricity infrastructure. Within these systems, both physical components—such as power substations and lines—and cyber components—such as communication links, mobile base stations, and controllers—are interdependent, making the identification of critical elements essential for improving system robustness. While prior research has largely focused on node-level analysis, this study addresses the underexplored challenge of identifying critical edges using tools from complex network theory. We evaluate edge importance through edge betweenness centrality (EBC) and edge removal analysis (ERA) across a real-world CPPS located in Northeastern Italy. Three network scenarios are analyzed: a directed power network, an undirected power network, and an undirected cyber network. Nearly 10 percent of the important edges, based on the EBC and ERA methods, are discussed. A Pearson correlation is considered to find the correlation between the results of the two methods. The findings can support distribution system operators in prioritizing infrastructure hardening and enhancing resilience against both physical failures and cyber threats.