Cyber Security Threats in the Energy Sector Business
We've got some great deals going on right now exclusively for our online customers... chat now to hear more! Cyber security threats in the energy sector,Author: Sue Poremba,A ransomware attack on a gasoline pipeline company threw the energy supply chain into total chaos—all because of to an orphaned account. The pipeline was shut down out of an abundance of caution, which , inflated gas prices, and caused an artificial gas shortage. It is a powerful example of the urgency to improve energy sector security. Cyber security threats in the energy sector are mostly motivated by the financial interests of threat actors, according to the , but up to a third of the breaches in the industry are due to espionage. The warns that the energy infrastructure is facing unprecedented threat levels, creating a complex but critically important security challenge. Identifying cyber security threats to energy sector security,The identifies four main areas for guidance regarding energy security. They are:,Social engineering tactics are responsible for 86% of the cyber attacks against the energy industry, according to the DBIR, with sustained phishing campaigns a popular tool. Among non-social engineered attacks, ransomware accounts for 44%. The motivation behind the to cyber security for energy and utilities varies by threat actor. Some threat actors may be inspired by their opposition to climate change and see the energy industry as unethical. Others may act due to monetary incentives. Among their calculus is how dependent the country is on these companies and how deep the financial pockets are within the energy sector. A ransomware attack can result in a very fast payment in the . Types of companies most at risk from cyber security threats in the energy sector,Cyber security threats impact all types of businesses within the with oil/gas companies among some of the targets. The physical part of the electric grid was built decades ago and . Equipping them with the necessary security tools to keep the grid safe, including updated operating systems and software, is . Remote substations are vulnerable to physical access from threat actors and despite all the the industry, individual utilities work independently; it is challenging to keep up with the constant changes, especially with overall staff shortages. The stated the gas and oil industry is in need of a new structure in its energy sector security approach. It recommends more attention be focused on the security of operational technology (OT) assets and the addition of IIoT and artificial intelligence (AI) technology across the industry. Government action against cyber security threats in the energy sector,Recognizing the cyber security threats in the energy sector, the Biden Administration issued an to address and improve the country's cyber security, both for IT and OT. Building from that executive order, the launched the Electricity Subsector Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cybersecurity Initiative, a 100-day plan to offer better protection to the electric grid, and introduced upgrades to the Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model tool to strengthen protections for energy sector security. Last year, a ransomware attack brought empty gas pumps to the East Coast. The next cyber attack could put large sections of the country in the dark for undisclosed periods of time. Learn more about how can deliver resources efficiently and cost-effectively and help protect against cyber security threats in the energy sector. If you'd like to receive new articles, solutions briefs, whitepapers and more—just let us know. . * Indicates a required field. We will follow up from your contact request using the information provided. Choose your country to view contact details. Manage your account or get tools and information. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. We use both third party and first party cookies for this purpose. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. These cookies may be set through our site by Verizon and third parties. They are used to present Verizon advertising on third party sites that you may visit. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising from Verizon. BackClear Filters,All Consent Allowed
Learn more