Cyber Security in the Energy World

The advancement of technology reshapes our energy landscape over the past few decades. More sensors are deployed; more processes are being automated and more information is being exchanged between systems. Technology advancement brings enormous opportunities; For instance, optimizing operation, reducing outage time, turning raw data into useful business information etc. However, as we move deeper into digitalization, cyber threats become imminent. Cyber-attack has evolved from petty crime to state-sponsored cyber terrorism. From Stuxnet that attacked the Iranian Nuclear Power Plant in 2010 to the Black Energy 3 that caused massive blackout in Ukraine in 2015, cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure has become a national security issue. Cyber-attack on critical infrastructure requires a combination of hacking and engineering knowledge to inflict maximum damages. Thus, protecting critical infrastructure requires both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) expertise. Cyber security approach must be holistic.