Article

The Energy Sector’s Critical Cybersecurity Challenges

Energy organizations seeking to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats are often hindered by the complex mix of legacy and modern systems, compliance concerns, and emerging security risks in the energy sector.

The energy sector is especially vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches, which pose enterprise level risks throughout operations and particular vulnerabilities in generation, transmission, SCADA, EMS, and field support. Compliance and statutory frameworks from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exert added pressure on the sector to harden security, regulate access, and improve resilience.

Effective risk management starts with a holistic understanding of the sector’s threat environment. The following present unique cyber risks for energy organizations:

1) Ransomware Attacks and Incident Response

2) Identity and Access Management Inefficiencies

3) Incomplete Integration of Systems

4) FERC, NERC, and State and Federal Compliance Requirements

5) Supply Chain Risks

Guidehouse’s Cybersecurity team and our Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure team promote and foster the effective security practices integrated with operational and compliance goals. Our deep energy industry experience, combined with a comprehensive understanding of the technology, strategy, and security interventions needed across the energy sector’s IT and OT assets, positions us to start fast and succeed immediately. Our experts help energy companies and utilities conduct cybersecurity assessments, harden security, streamline compliance, and increase resilience—so they are prepared for any threats the future has in store for them.

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