Federal regulators have stepped up oversight of the security of the nation’s power utilities as they work to safeguard the grid from threats and incidents such as widespread, long-duration blackouts caused by digital saboteurs.
But cyber threats linger, particularly within the area of operational technology (OT). As efficiency efforts drive IT and OT systems to converge, hackers can gain access to the OT infrastructure via an IT route, fueling a need for utility leaders to assess, plan and implement OT protection strategies for critical assets. This position represents a fundamental shift, as security once set up under IT is now being integrated into a broader IT/OT approach.