# Smart Grid Fault Mitigation and Cybersecurity with Wide-Area Measurement Systems: A Review
## 7 Recommendations  
The increasing complexity of modern and wide-area power systems, particularly in developing economies, highlights the need for advanced monitoring and control mechanisms to ensure grid reliability and support renewable energy integration. WAMS and its extended frameworks, including Wide-Area Monitoring and Control (WAMC), Wide-Area Protection and Control (WAMPAC), and Wide-Area Power, Control, and Monitoring (WAPCAM) systems, have emerged as key enablers of this transition. However, despite significant advancements in smart grid technology, limited research has explored the deployment of WAMS and their variations in traditional power system networks, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where aging infrastructure and unstable grids persist. To address this gap, a structured approach is necessary, integrating real-time monitoring, AI-driven optimization, cybersecurity frameworks, and scalable financial models. This multi-prong approach is necessary for a robust sensitivity analysis to engage with regional stakeholders on the importance of WAMS in sustainable energy development. A critical recommendation is the development of comprehensive models for deploying WAMS and WAMC, WAMPAC, and WAPCAM systems in WAPS across developing countries such as Nigeria and South Africa. These models should aim to enhance grid observability, improve fault detection, and enable large-scale renewable energy integration. Given the increasing penetration of DERs, such as solar photovoltaics (PVs) and wind power, future grid systems must leverage real-time synchrophasor data analytics to mitigate power fluctuations and ensure system stability. The integration of hybrid WAMS-SCADA frameworks can facilitate the transition from traditional power networks to adaptive smart grids, mitigating challenges associated with renewable energy intermittency and voltage fluctuations. Another crucial area of focus is cybersecurity in CPPS and WAMS deployment. As power grids become more digitalized, the increasing vulnerability of PMUs, communication networks, and control centers to false data injection (FDI), denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and malware infiltration remains a significant challenge. To enhance the security of WAMS-based systems, future grid architectures should integrate blockchain-based security mechanisms, AI-driven anomaly detection, and self-healing network protocols to safeguard against cyber threats. Furthermore, the interdependence between physical infrastructure and cyber networks must be addressed, as disruptions in physical grid components can trigger cascading failures in digital control systems. Additionally, a more robust cybersecurity system should be developed to strengthen the communication infrastructure required for WAMS deployment. This includes the adoption of security network protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) to ensure encrypted data transmission and mitigate unauthorized access risks. As phishing attacks become more prevalent in PMU-based systems, increased efforts should be made to develop resilient authentication and intrusion detection frameworks to further secure power grid networks. Ensuring the cost-effectiveness of WAMS deployment in developing economies is another key recommendation of this review. Some research suggests that the cost of deploying a PMU is more expensive than the PMUs themselves. This area must be swiftly improved to ensure a broader adoption of the technology. While industrialized nations have successfully integrated WAMS into their national grids, many developing countries face financial and infrastructural constraints. Strategies involving the development of low-cost PMUs, scalable fiber optic and 5G-enabled communication networks, and innovative financing models should be explored. Additionally, public-private partnerships and government-backed incentives can play a pivotal role in ensuring sustainable investments in energy infrastructure.