The increasing intersection between operational technology and advanced connectivity requires a new security method in the energy industry.
Fremont, CA: Digitalisation has brought new opportunities and risks in its wake. While energy companies are trying to handle the increasing cyber risks in information technology systems, operational technology systems are also undergoing an evolving set of threats.
The usual method of protecting energy infrastructure can only influence operational technology security since the solutions do not ceaselessly adapt to Industrial Control Systems (ICS). Therefore, targeted OT security is becoming mandatory for the energy industry, driving stakeholders towards creative methods and updated capabilities.
The application of IoT and IIoT technologies has peaked lately. Recently, most companies in the energy industry have IoT and IIoT networks connecting the ICS. When crucial operational infrastructures are connected, they run the chance of exposure.
Hackers on the prowl now have an approach to advanced tools and technologies which they can leverage to identify weak points in the connectivity to launch attacks on the OT. Thus, unprotected systems are vulnerable to targeted attacks, which can cripple entire power plants, and electric grids resulting in long-term outages. This will therefore impact every facility reliant on electricity supply.
One way the energy sector can ensure OT safety is by developing mechanisms that enable real-time monitoring of the ICS. Integrating the monitoring and sensing systems into energy infrastructure from the outset makes it likely to have excellent opportunities for OT security. A tactic that makes risks detectable without impacting the efficiency of operational systems is ideal. Each device in a network can lend to safety instead of resulting in an increased attack surface.
As order processes become outdated and inefficient, energy companies should now concentrate on enhancing situational awareness with the help of technological, data-backed interventions. Modern risk reporting and automated response mechanisms can significantly boost OT security, enabling energy companies to ace digital transformation benefits while avoiding security issues.
