Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector: Risks and Mitigation Strategies

The demand for cybersecurity in the energy sector is often understated. There is a misconception that very little IT is involved, and much of it does not impact operations. But 97% of surveyed ICS security professionals in the energy, oil, and gas sector believe cybersecurity is a growing concern.

No industry has been untouched by digital transformation. With the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) powering more sophisticated forms of automation, the use of cyber-physical systems will only grow.

Even if you don’t feel that cybersecurity posture is a pressing concern right now, it may be in the future. Every company will have to modernize eventually. However, you must understand the implications digital transformation can have on cyber and Industrial Control System (ICS) security.

The Challenges of Managing Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector

The technological infrastructure of most companies in the manufacturing and supply industry (including energy utilities) can be separated into two categories:

•Plant IT Systems

•ICS

Plant IT systems refers to business systems and data, while ICS is more applicable with operations and production. The cybersecurity demands are different for both.

Plant IT cybersecurity involves establishing measures to protect data. The focus of ICS cybersecurity is on ensuring that there is no downtime or loss of production. Many believe the former is far more important than the latter; however, they’re both very important parts of the energy sector.

Cybercriminals usually have a different approach to how they attack each system, although there are some commonalities. For instance, a cybercriminal may use ransomware to seal or steal data from its owners to blackmail them before restoring access. Similarly, a cybercriminal may use a Distributed Denial Of Service (DDOS) attack to halt ICS operations and only restore them when a fee is paid or a condition is met.

Ultimately, the objectives behind the attacks are the same, but the approaches are different.

Cybersecurity Risks in the Energy Sector

The energy sector is crucial to the economy and the well-being of society. A cyber breach of an energy utility could result in blackouts and a loss of trust from utility customers. These end-users may seek alternative sources for their energy needs, and many already are due to financial incentives provided by the government.

Financial incentives such as the ITC, along with the rising cybersecurity threats in the energy sector mean we could see more end users who are jaded by energy utilities embrace alternative energy sources such as solar power. To help regain customer trust, energy utilities and power companies must address the following risks:

•Multi-Stage Attacks

As mentioned, manufacturing and industrial organizations commonly have two major technological systems. This leaves them even more vulnerable to multi-staged attacks. A multi-stage attack describes a methodical intrusion strategy that often consists of multiple cyberattacks.

•ICS Malware Attacks

Ultimately, ICS are computer systems that often have the same vulnerabilities as regular computer systems. Many plants still use decades-old ICS and Operational Technology (OT) systems that run on outdated software and hardware.

•Inherently Insecure Components

Most OT and ICS weren’t created with cybersecurity in mind, particularly older technology, and equipment. The end goal of those tasked with implementing ICS systems is to make them work as efficiently as possible.

Often, cybersecurity can stagnate or interfere with that goal, leaving many components vulnerable to cyberattacks. As organizations introduce digital transformation, these components will be integrated into the new system, instead of completely replaced.

Conclusion

Leaders in the energy sector have enough to worry about to keep the energy flowing. Cybersecurity shouldn’t be on this list too. The ultimate aim of cybersecurity in the energy sector is to ensure that attacks do not result in real-world impact. Again, it must be noted that the end goals of cybercriminals aren’t always financially motivated, especially those targeting the energy sector. Attacks can be motivated by many factors. Regardless of the reason, there are ways to prevent cyberattacks. This article was by Gary Stevens.Ic