Power and Energy

 

Ransomware is the new omnipresent cybersecurity threat to manufacturing – all security attacks that took down automation operations since 2020 were targeted ransomware. Ransomware is a threat to manufacturers as it can halt production and disrupt day-to-day operations. With the digital transformation of the manufacturing process, cyber risk management and cyber risks are constantly changing as threat landscapes and attack surfaces expand, requiring security visibility into all IT, OT, and IoT systems across all facilities.

Electrical power consumption continues to grow at a rapid pace globally, and therefore it is essential to efficiently manage power distribution to ensure reliability and reach. The development of remote substation control and automation has become fundamental to the operation of the electricity network.  

OT and IT networks operate in different environments, serve different purposes, and have different objectives and risks. IT systems primarily involves storage, retrieval, and transmission of digital information, thus will prioritize protecting data and confidentiality. An OT system will prioritize the safety and availability of equipment and processes.

For aging power utility to transform and develop into a modern substation automation system with smart grid technologies, the need for rugged computing platforms with faster processors and reliable storage capacity is essential. The many applications found in a digital substation, including intelligent human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for communication and operator terminals, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems require high performance hardware to ensure safe operation.

Natural gas infrastructure is composed of million miles of pipelines used to gather, transport and distribute natural gas, and oil from producing basins to end-use consumers. Pipeline infrastructure is one of the safest ways of transporting materials compared to road or rail. It is an extremely important enabler of economic and national security for a country.

Previously, OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology) though related were separate environments where OT industrial automation and control systems and IT enterprise digital networks were not connected. With the advent of IoT, it has become an agent for the integration of OT and IT.

As we evolve into the era of 5G, the benefits 5G deployment are inevitably on the tops of everyone’s mind.  But one often overlooked topic that should not be ignored as we look into this exciting future is the role of cybersecurity. This is especially true for critical infrastructures, such as electricity generation. With grid modernization picking up speed around the world, utility service providers need to also bear in mind the evolving cybersecurity threats that come with modernization, and many already are. However, a significant challenge during the modernization of cybersecurity capabilities is identifying and utilizing IT technologies that can work in harmony with operational technologies. Modernization and interconnection are crucial to having robust security without compromising their services, which typically rely on assets not designed with 5G and modern technologies in mind.

페이지 2 / 전체 7