Energy companies must take into account the risks at the level of:
- IT systems - all systems that keep the business running, as well as the database management software.
- OT infrastructure - including hardware and software related to the production, storage, and sale of energy, using cloud and industrial IoT solutions.
It can already be seen here that securing the vast energy supply chain is quite a challenge.
That is why the primary protection method is the mere use of cloud technologies to disperse the data crucial for the company's operation. Simply put, keeping your vital data away from the company's end-user and hardware makes it more secure.
Cloud computing in the energy sector
Thanks to the use of the cloud, the processes of energy companies can be:
- flexible,
- scalable,
- available on-demand.
And yet, due to their long tradition and relatively slow evolution, many energy companies are reluctant to digitize.
However, 81% of these, which eventually do transform, admitted they could innovate faster with the public cloud rather than on-premise solutions (report here). It's worth it if you imagine the rush of the energy industry to meet society's expectations and legal requirements regarding sustainability. People are increasingly aware of the importance of going green, which imposes certain obligations on the entire business.
As you can see, without proper care for security, energy companies will not only disappoint their customers, but it will also be even more difficult for them to switch to the green side of the force.
Fortunately, RES companies are well aware of the importance of maintaining the security of critical systems. Most of them were created recently, in a tradition where such things were a matter of course. But that doesn't yet apply to the entire industry.
Colonial Pipeline compromised
In May 2021, a group of hackers completely blocked the operation of Colonial Pipeline's IT systems. And that is the largest refined oil pipeline system in the entire US, which can carry even 3 million barrels of fuel a day.
Consequences? The East Coast had to do without 45% of fuel for six days. In addition, consumer panic erupted because gas prices jumped the most in over six years.
That is why the IT world has to work together to ensure that our crucial energy supply chains are safe and sound. And help it evolve (or better revolve) to more sustainable ones.
