37% of energy sector organisations rank supply chain attacks as their most significant cyber threat in the next 12 months.
The Critical Role of Cyber Security in the Energy Sector
The energy sector is vital amongst Critical National Infrastructure (CNI); a disruption to the nation’s power supply could have a cascading effect across other critical sectors. As recent global conflicts have shown, cyber attacks present a very real risk of disrupting essential services and leading to major power outages.
37% of energy organisations see supply-chain attacks as the most significant cyber threat in the next 12 months.
40% consider data protection and privacy as their most significant challenge.
Source: Cyber Security in Energy: 2024
Addressing the Energy Sector's Unique Cyber Security Challenges
Major Technological Shifts
At our 2024 CNI Cyber Security Summit, Stuart Okin, Director of Cyber Regulation at Ofgem, described the security challenges facing the energy sector as it moves towards net zero and new models of producing and distributing energy. He called for cyber security to be embedded at the ‘get go’ of this technological shift.
Regulation
The energy sector is subject to a range of cyber security regulation, including the CAF. By 2027, the sector is required to meet the enhanced CAF profile which introduces additional regulatory requirements for organisations to meet.
OT Environments
Energy organisations have extensive OT environments, but these are often inadequately protected due to the unique security challenges they present. Additionally, individual assets – such as those used for monitoring and controlling power generation – are often designed without cyber security in mind, making it challenging to implement these controls.
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What are the Cyber Threats Faced by Energy Organisations in 2024?
Nation State Actors
The energy sector is a lucrative target for politically-motivated, nation state actors. As seen in the 2015 cyber attack against the Ukrainian power grid, these groups bring the capabilities and resources necessary to successfully disrupt services and cause power outages.
Cyber Criminal Groups
Financially-motivated groups pose an equal threat, often attempting to gain access to information and control of services in order to demand a ransom. Our annual CNI research found that 45% of energy organisations who fell victim to a ransomware incident experienced a disruption to operations.
Insider Threats
Malicious insiders also pose a risk, given their knowledge of and access to critical systems and data. Whether they choose to perpetrate an attack themselves or share their insight with an external actor, insider risk is a serious threat.
Regulatory Hurdles
Our annual CNI research found that 28% of energy organisation said they still have “a long way to go” in meeting the CAF. At the same time, they must contend with the NIS2 Directive which requires they “implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to prevent, detect and respond to incidents”.
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