Contributed by Phil Beecher, President and CEO, Wi-SUN Alliance
The energy grid is undergoing a profound digital transformation. Smart meters, renewable energy sources, and an ever-expanding network of interconnected devices are changing how energy is generated, distributed and consumed. However, this technological evolution has also exposed the grid to a new generation of cyber threats, requiring cybersecurity to be a top priority for energy companies.
Research announced from the Wi-SUN Alliance at DTECH ‘24 reveals that a staggering 41% of utility professionals rank cybersecurity enhancement as their most crucial strategic initiative for the next five years. This finding aligns with concerns raised in Wi-SUN’s 2022 global report, Journey to IoT Maturity, which highlighted the critical importance of security and data privacy for organizations adopting IoT solutions.
The expanding attack surface: a growing concern
The utility sector’s attack surface has expanded dramatically, extending from the customer’s smart meter at the grid edge to the network infrastructure, substations, and data centers. This expansion is fueled by the proliferation of interconnected devices and systems, which, while offering numerous benefits, also introduce potential vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit.
At the same time, we’ve learned of nation-state threats against U.S. critical infrastructure, including the power grid, that expose how exposed our systems really are. Adding to this challenge, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that extreme weather events have doubled power outages in the country over the past two decades. These outages, which are also lasting longer in 40 states, are often caused by natural disasters and can have devastating consequences for communities and businesses.
This combination of an expanding attack surface, nation-state threats and extreme weather means that we must make robust cybersecurity measures a priority to ensure grid resilience.
Three key words: prevent, detect, correct
Protecting the grid from cyber threats requires a multi-layered approach to security. This involves implementing security measures at every level of the utility network, from the customer grid-edge to the Field Area Network, to the substation, and ultimately to the data center.
This layered approach should encompass a combination of measures that include:
- Preventive measures, such as strong access controls and encryption, can deter unauthorized access to critical systems and data.
- Detective measures, like intrusion detection systems and log monitoring, can help identify suspicious activity and potential threats.
- Corrective measures, such as incident response plans and disaster recovery procedures, can mitigate the impact of a successful attack.
Artificial intelligence: a powerful ally
Energy companies and utilities are also exploring the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to bolster their cybersecurity efforts. AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate a cyberattack. The technology can also automate certain security tasks, such as vulnerability scanning and patch management, freeing up human resources to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Wi-SUN’s DTECH ‘24 research shows that energy professionals see the value of integrating AI technologies as part their network infrastructure, with energy consumption forecasting (37%), automated fault detection (33%), and grid optimization (31%) as viable use cases.
These applications can enhance cybersecurity by providing real-time insights into network operations and identifying anomalies that could indicate a cyber-attack. For example, AI-powered energy consumption forecasting can help detect unusual patterns of energy use, which could be a sign of unauthorized access or data manipulation. Automated fault detection can pinpoint vulnerabilities in the system that hackers could exploit, and grid optimization can ensure that the network operates efficiently, reducing the risk of outages caused by cyber-attacks and improving grid efficiency and resiliency, in general.
Open standards and interoperability take it farther
Open standards and interoperable technologies play a crucial role in cybersecurity for the energy and utility sector. They ensure that different devices and systems can communicate and work together seamlessly, simplifying the implementation and management of security measures across the entire network. Interoperability also enables utilities to choose from a wider range of vendors and solutions, promoting competition and driving innovation in the cybersecurity market.
Wi-SUN FAN, for example, is a wireless mesh networking technology based on open industry standards that helps utilities achieve these goals. It provides a reliable and secure communication platform for smart grid applications, allowing utilities to collect and analyze data from diverse devices and sensors in real-time. The continuous connectivity between end points that open standards provide means energy and utility companies can mitigate deployments against outages and security breaches while optimizing grid operations, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing customer service.
The digital transformation of the energy grid has ushered in a new era of cybersecurity challenges for energy and utility companies. By prioritizing cybersecurity investments, adopting a multi-layered security approach, leveraging AI technologies, and embracing open standards, utilities can better safeguard their critical infrastructure and ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable energy to their customers.
