Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity is Vital
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Attempts to hack public utilities are increasing in frequency and sophistication, making them harder to combat. One of the central targets of hackers are the energy grid. A successful cyber-attack on these pipelines would spell disaster. The US energy industry and the federal government have joined forces to keep the country safe and keep the lights on.
Almost every part of the US oil and gas network, including pressure monitors and control valves, is controlled by electronic management systems. If hackers gain control of these systems, they could easily cause explosions and fires, putting not just the pipelines, but the lives of the people who operate them, in danger.
According to heraldstaronline.com, pipeline companies make sure that computers connected to the energy grid are as protected as possible. Pipeline employees can’t connect USB drives, download unsanctioned applications or even use the Internet for non-work-related things.
Pipeline companies also coordinate their defense efforts across the industry. When one pipeline is attacked, an alarm goes out to every node in the nation’s energy network, alerting every pipeline operator, driller and power plant to be on the lookout for a potential attack. The alert gives them time to shore up their defenses.
Cooperation with the Coast Guard ever since the early 2000s oversees the cybersecurity regulations for all marine terminals that handle incoming shipments of unrefined petroleum, petroleum products or liquefied natural gas.
More recently, members of the energy industry partnered with the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to develop guidelines for keeping pipelines safe from cyberattacks and mounting the appropriate response should such an attack occur. These aren’t broad “one-size-fits-all” action plans, but rather detailed measures that instruct cybersecurity professionals how to best protect their infrastructure.
Learn more about critical installations’ cybersecurity at the Border, Perimeter & Offshore Security Conference and Exhibition on May 7, 2019 at the Lago Conference Center, Rishion LeZion West.
Booth/sponsorship: [email protected] +972-54-6742036 +972-74-7451370
