TECHNOLOGY
ENERGY IS A KEY COMMODITY THAT MUST BE DIGITALLY SECURED
The energy sector is a tough one to secure thanks to its increased digital presence , but teams must act to ensure national safety and global sustainability
WRITTEN BY : TOM SWALLOW
Energy is one of the most crucial commodities in the modern world . It powers homes , supports commerce , enables mobility and , in some of the more life-changing cases , backs hospitals in saving lives . It is the backbone of society and is instrumental in allowing communities to survive and thrive , while enabling the economy to fulfil its highest potential .
It ’ s safe to say energy has become a valuable necessity , dealt between countries , states , towns and cities . But the industry is venturing towards more digital means of operation , such as the adoption of IoT in its ecosystems to track , assess and manage energy , while blockchain technologies are being incorporated into the energy distribution system .
All of these digital devices operating at the edge of the energy system leave the industry prone to cyber attacks . The high value of energy combined with an increasing number of individual entry points make the energy sector as vulnerable as any other . The energy network not only piques the interest of ransomware attackers , but is also prone to nation-state disruption with the potential to weaken economies or create blackouts – which could all change the course of history .
While this may seem like a dramatic entry to the top of cybersecurity and how it feeds into energy prosperity for the better , it ’ s necessary to recognise the importance of electricity in the ecosystem of the future .
104 August 2023