The Role of Cyber–Physical Systems in Critical Network Infrastructure (CNI)

Dear Colleagues,

Cyber–physical systems (CPSs) have become a critical backbone for modern energy infrastructure, playing an integral role in operating electric power grids, oil and gas pipelines, smart buildings, and renewable energy systems. These systems enable the enhanced monitoring, control, and optimization of operations, promoting greater efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in energy production and distribution, making CPSs central to the ongoing transition towards smarter, more resilient, and sustainable energy networks. However, their increasing interconnection through the Internet of Things (IoT), industrial control systems (ICSs), and operational technologies (OTs) also exposes them to significant cybersecurity risks.

This Special Issue addresses the growing need for secure, resilient, and trustworthy CPS applications, particularly within energy-focused domains. It invites high-quality research contributions that explore novel methodologies, architectures, algorithms, and frameworks that enhance the security, safety, and operational resilience of CPSs in the context of Industry 5.0. Submissions should focus on how to design, monitor, and protect mission-critical systems using integrated cyber–physical architectures and advanced security measures.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cyber–physical system applications;
• Smart grid and renewable energy security;
• Cyber–physical system security and resilience;
• IT–OT convergence;
• Industrial control system (ICS) security;
• AI and machine learning in cyber–physical systems;
• Connected autonomous vehicle security;
• Cyber–physical system threats and attack models;
• IoT security;
• Cyber range and applications in the CNI;
• Blockchain for CPS security;
• Privacy in CPS and IoT networks;
• Cybersecurity in critical infrastructure;
• Risk management and vulnerability assessment in CPS;
• Threat detection and response in CPS;
• Cybersecurity.

Dr. Tawfik Al-Hadhrami
Dr. Fuad A. Ghaleb
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.