Abstract: Investment in smart meters and smart grid end equipment continues to grow worldwide as countriestry to make their electric delivery systems more efficient. However, as critical as the electric deliveryinfrastructure is, it is normally not secured and thus subject to attack. This article describes the concept oflife-cycle security—the idea that embedded equipment in the smart grid must have security designed into theentire life of the product, even back to the contract manufacturer. We also talk about how life-cycle securityapplies to embedded equipment in the smart grid. Potential threats are discussed, as are potential solutionsto mitigate the risks posed by those threats.