SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING A SECURE COMMUNICATION LINK IN AN ELECTRIC POWER DELIVERY SYSTEM

A non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to operate in a recovery mode after initiating a startup operation, transmit a data frame to a device of an electric power delivery system during the recovery mode, the data frame indicating a request for a security association key (SAK), receive the SAK from the device in response to transmitting the data frame, and use the SAK to communicate data via a media access control security (MACsec) communication link.