Energy Magazine August 2022 | Page 57

CYBER SECURITY
Digitisation of traditional electricity grids and the modernisation of the ageing energy infrastructure is among the top concerns for operators and governments worldwide . Security for last-mile energy consumption applications was frequently overlooked .
" However , the introduction of AMI , smart metering , and grid digitisation is steadily increasing spending for secure management services , assisting implementers to transition to IT ( information technologies ) and OT ( operational technologies ) security services and help tackle their primary objectives ," explained Dimitrios Pavlakis , Senior IoT Cyber security Analyst at ABI Research .
These key objectives include streamlining consumer and commercial electricity usage , satisfying the need for increased industrial output , tackling the demand for real-time energy optimisation services , assisting with the introduction of renewable sources and decentralised energy and , in the grander picture , increasing the security threshold for their countries ' critical infrastructure .
“ The name of the game is oversight , efficiency , and security when it comes to smart metering ,” added Pavlakis .
“ The responsibilities for utilities and energy suppliers have increased significantly and they are treading into new potentially unfamiliar grounds .”
He said utilities are attempting to align with governmental regulations , enable new supply
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