Improving the Energy Ecosystem in the IoT Era

As one of the significant catalysts for transforming the energy and utility sector, IoT drives enumerable opportunities prioritizing security.

The Internet of Things (IoT) creates waves across the business and the customer landscape. Power suppliers and utilities are searching to leverage IoT technologies to drive internal and external benefits.

Smart metering and modern infrastructure are the first steps to progress. These systems enable more outstanding forecasting capabilities, cutting costs through efficient grid scheduling and reliability. 

Utilities have a lot of experience in installing and managing IoT. Today's challenge is ensuring these systems' device and data security against attackers and eavesdroppers. With the IoT adoption, threat reports are already appearing. Energy and utility providers are a high-value target for cyber attackers, and their broad geographic diversity presents challenges with a highly distributed surface attack.

IoT security threats are firm and rapidly developing in the energy and utility sector. Defending every asset from all potential danger is not realistic; utilities must manage their risk by unfurling defense-in-depth strategies. Data encryption is one of the leading security tools available for IoT adopters.

The problems associated with IoT communications within the sector drive this requirement for encryption throughout the circulated IoT infrastructure. All transmission between endpoints and sensors to the edge and the cloud must be encoded to prevent the data from being compromised. Encryption is the most efficient way when used wherever IoT data travels.

Authentication technology can also ensure that only authenticated or approved users access IoT networks and related systems. Access data in the device or system or the cloud must need authentication and authorization to secure no one controls the utility environment. Advanced firewalls are another crucial IoT security tool, providing application awareness, stateful inspection, and integrated intrusion protection system technology. They offer security and operations teams the necessary segmentation, application visibility, and threat management capabilities.

Physical security, containing site access controls and surveillance technologies, constitutes another essential part of the IoT security strategy. Access control technologies, comprising the password-protected cabinet, help energy and utility providers ensure physical network assets against breach and destruction.

Video analytics solutions examine live images in real-time to detect unusual activities that could threaten IoT systems. It also offers an essential tool in mitigating physical security risks and protecting high-value assets. Beyond managing cyber threats and physical security, firms must consider the business chances of unplanned downtime caused by natural disasters, equipment failures, and worker safety incidents.

Considering the essential nature of these systems and the increasing cyber security threats against them, establishing a connected and trusted infrastructure is becoming more vital than ever.