Energy Sector Cyberattacks Increasing

Energy sector cyberattacks have been increasing in recent years. Help Net Security cites a report stating that 39 percent of all cyberattacks target energy, and state-sponsored groups are behind 60 percent of those attacks.

But the financial bonanza to be gained by accessing vast stores of sensitive information held in the energy sector is a big motivator too. The recent attack on Schneider Electric yielded 1.5 TB of data, according to the ransomware gang that breached the company’s system.

As attacks increase, energy providers fret about the industry’s operational resilience. The risks are compounded by reliance on outdated technologies. Over time the systems in use become more vulnerable and difficult to patch because they were routinely chosen for their long useful life.

Deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart sensors in energy grids and automated systems in distribution facilities introduce another layer of complexity to security. IoT devices usually aren’t designed to integrate well with conventional security protocols. They often come with insecure interfaces or weak encryption.

Fixing vulnerabilities against energy sector cyberattacks before they can be exploited is the best strategy for addressing critical risks. For energy companies, systematic vulnerability assessments and penetration testing that focuses on applications that interface between IT and OT systems is a good first step.

Energy providers should be looking for more advanced technologies and automation opportunities that can reduce the time between detection and response. AI monitoring is a good tool, but human supervision over automated and AI-driven systems is crucial.

The article goes into detail about those steps and several more. If implemented, they can help energy providers build resilient enough infrastructure to counter sophisticated cyberattacks and safeguard sector integrity.