Cybersecurity might not be your biggest concern if your business operates within the energy sector. However, the issue of cybersecurity is just as important to companies within the energy sector as it is in any other industry.
With that in mind, here is what you should know about the relationship between cybersecurity and the energy sector and what you can do to keep your company safe – both now and in the future.
The Relationship Between Energy Companies And Technology
Energy companies have recently started to become interested in what technology has to offer them. For instance, they have started to use data analysis to streamline their processes and make predictions; they have also begun to use tech to alert them to maintenance issues and to understand supply and demand within their industry.
While this technology can provide a lot of benefits for energy start-ups, it can also make them vulnerable to new digital threats.
Cyberthreats That The Energy Sector Is Exposed To
The energy sector is particularly exposed to several cyberthreats including malware, ransomware and data breaches – especially as the industry begins to have a greater reliance on technology and automation. Not only this, but criminals might want to disrupt the supply chain and attack an energy company through one of their suppliers.
Why Energy Companies Get Targeted
Many individuals and other businesses rely on energy companies and they are an essential part of the country’s infrastructure – meaning that they are a prime target for criminal groups. Not only this, but energy companies use a lot of data that criminals might want to harness, not to mention the fact that they offer technology such as smart meters to their customers – which criminals could try to interfere with.
Not only this, but the energy sector has only just started to get onboard with technology. This means that they are usually using outdated systems that need a little bit of TLC and updates. Although the energy sector might operate fine with these, apart from some issues with inefficiency, these outdated devices could leave them exposed to cyberthreats.
What You Can Do
However, if you are a business owner that operates within the energy sector, you should not panic. Instead, you should consider looking for solutions that can help to prevent cybersecurity disasters. For instance, if you run most of your operations off a laptop or a computer, you should consider searching for protection for this device. You should carry out thorough research to find out more about what an endpoint detection and response solution can offer you. This solution will give you a greater chance of being able to protect your energy business from threats before they even occur and will mean that these do not cause your operations to falter while you battle a cybersecurity issue.
If you run a business in the energy sector, it is important that you do not take your eyes off the ever-evolving issue of cybersecurity. Otherwise, you might find that you are comprising a lot of sensitive information and leaving people without the energy that they need to go about their daily lives.
