## 6 Future Directions
AI can also provide a quick response to cyber disasters, guaranteeing that even if a cyberattack occurs, such as a DDoS attack, systems can adjust in real time, rerouting or isolating impacted areas of the grid [54]. * Cryptographic Algorithms and Protocols: The fundamental cryptographic approach for ensuring safe communication in smart energy systems is encryption. Although encryption is not the only remedy, it plays a significant role in improving smart grid security. To guarantee data integrity and secrecy in these systems, encryption algorithms must be implemented. Encryption significantly decreases replay attacks, FDIAs, and eavesdropping attacks. Public key cryptography is an important tool for identifying cyberattacks in smart power systems, particularly FDIAs. In smart grids, many existing authentication techniques and encryption algorithms are used. Symmetric cryptography, such as the symmetric ciphers AES and DES, as well as asymmetric cryptography, are commonly employed to prevent cyber threats in smart grids. Furthermore, most smart grid electronic gadgets are supposed to feature lightweight cryptographic capabilities in the future. Cryptographic techniques are frequently used in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Such cryptography approaches, however, are becoming more applicable than ever with the integration of smart metering devices and smart inverters with ICT elements. Another major problem in smart grids is privacy as precise energy consumption data can reveal sensitive information. Future encryption approaches may prioritize consumer privacy while allowing utilities to collect necessary data for grid management [26; 95; 118]. Furthermore, the security of many existing cryptography techniques is jeopardized by the advent of quantum computing. To maintain the long-term security of grid communications, future directions in smart grid cryptography may include the use of quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. While the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) works on standardizing post-quantum cryptography methods, the smart grid industry will need to follow by adopting these new protocols and standards to protect against quantum attacks. Cryptographic protocols provide promising solutions for vulnerabilities in the communication protocols of the smart grid. It is critical to provide cryptographic standards and protocols that enable interoperability among smart grid components and systems. The standardization initiatives in this area will most likely continue to evolve [28; 48]. * Investigating new cyber threats: Potential cybersecurity flaws can show the need for research to strengthen the cybersecurity of a smart grid, which can help prevent unidentified cyberattacks. Because there are no mitigation strategies in place, jamming attacks pose a hazard to wireless communication by weakening the connectivity of smart grid components. The time-based synchronization needed for PMU data may be impacted by spoofing attacks on GPS signals. Another thing that needs to be looked into is evolving security tactics for zero-day attacks. It is absolutely necessary to conduct further research on coordinated cyberattacks. Additionally, it is important to assess the cybersecurity concerns brought on by the inclusion of DERs into the smart grid [3; 16]. * Standards and Protocols: Because the IoT-based smart grids are relatively new systems, they suffer from a lack of tight standards and protocols, which are needed for them to be more security oriented. As an example, the necessary standards to evaluate the IDSs/IPSs of these systems are not available. The absence of regulatory standards for sustainable energy management and dispatching is caused by a number of smart grid domains and subsystems, including power distribution and related automation. From generation to customer, the distributed network's current lifetime for the process layer is ineffective and unstable. Frameworks for international standardization must be developed for secure communication in smart grid applications.