Weekly Brief

3 Measures to Manage Cyber Risks in Electric Power Sector

By Utilities Tech Outlook | Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Electric utilities are experimenting with innovative cyber risk management strategies, as cyber-resilience becomes key in running energy facilities.

FREMONT, CA: In today’s highly connected world, reliable energy delivery needs cyber-resilient energy delivery systems. To achieve this goal, electric energy services have to come up with advanced infrastructure and solutions that have the potential to mitigate cyber risks. Some ways in which electric utilities can boost the resilience against sophisticated threats are given below.

• Developing the Ability to Identify and Share Information

Electric utilities must develop the ability to identify and share information with the least amount of lags. This is achievable by implementing connected devices at key locations across facilities and systems. Digital solutions that help boost the information transmission will empower operators to be proactive in handling any security cybersecurity threat that emerges.

• Achieving Agility in Risk Management Operations

Electric utilities need to integrate a certain degree of agility in risk management operations to ensure cybersecurity. Identifying potential risks timely manner empowers companies to act against attacks and mitigate the risks associated with it. With analytics and artificial intelligence solutions, it has become feasible for electric energy providers to gain self-sufficiency and agility in responding to security events.

• Taking Measures that Aid in Operational Systems Recovery

Even if a cyber attack is effectively averted, it is wise for electric utilities to follow measures that aid in operational systems recovery. The appropriate response should be followed up with streamlined restoration and recovery action plans. Just like disruptions caused by natural hazards, firms can entail immediate strategies towards recovery. Managing cyber threats also mandates effective measures that will prevent potential threats from resurfacing.

Thus, to prevent cyber attacks from disrupting energy services, companies will have to sound strategies and deploy advanced technologies. Once the strategies are in place, managing a resilient energy facility becomes easy.