When hackers target the invisible threat of grids to your energy supply – what about Watt?

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Imagine… you wake up one morning and your strength has disappeared. No lights, no heat, no phone charger. Not a line that is landing straight by a predictable storm or a line of straight…just silence. The culprit? Someone behind half the keyboard in the world.

This is not science fiction. This is not an exercise. This is a growing possibility.

First, let us thank Nikola Tesla Alternating current (AC)a kind that can be more than ever Modern Energy Network Today, this is part of what we call critical infrastructure.

We've come a long way since then, and it's time for us to talk about the risks of the network to our critical infrastructure.

Smart power systems are becoming more and more risky

Yes, digital tools help utilities control and monitor everything from solar panels to large transmission lines. But on the other hand…every connection is a potential point for an attack. As energy infrastructure becomes more and more technological, it has become more affected by cyber attacks.

In fact, researchers have recently tagged millions of solar inverters, potentially damaged by software vulnerabilities. It is also possible to consider that cross-border cables (such as those between Finland and Estonia) have been captured by network firefighting…the risks are more common in reality. So, how will we mitigate these identification risks?

What are the dangers here?

It's not just flashing lights or charging your phone a little slower. It's about critical infrastructure…the infrastructure that keeps hospitals running, factory production and cities alive. A single target attack can cause chaos throughout the region. In my latest blog – Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure ,,,,, I have listed some background events about the extent of such attacks.

As the energy world increasingly leans towards digital tools, as well as dispersed power systems for solar and wind, the looming risks are growing.

Cyber ​​Attacks Get Cheaper and Requires More Complex Defense | Source: BCG Execution View

You don't know the quiet competition you're in

As we roll, stream and charge, there is a behind-the-scenes battle between nation-states, employee hackers and infrastructure operators. Everyone is competing to protect or permeate the digital veins that keep energy flowing.

Some countries have incorporated cyber resilience into their grid plans. Others? not much. The scary part is the imbalance of defense capabilities, especially when systems are interconnected across boundaries.

In other words, it doesn't matter if your upstream partner doesn't bother your local utility with top-notch cybersecurity. A weak link, the entire chain store shaking.

The conversation about cybersecurity in the energy sector is not only for engineers and policy makers, but for all of us. If you are curious…or a little shocked, then the complete failure is worth your time. Read the full post here: Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure

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