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Utilities Business Review | Wednesday, November 16, 2022
The proliferation of IoT devices in the energy field has widened the threat landscape, requiring increased cybersecurity attention.
Fremont, CA: The acceptance of Internet of Things tools in the energy field has grown over the last few years and shows no signs of delay. Smart meters, for instance, have supplied flexibility and resilience, along with cost savings.
Nevertheless, these benefits are attended by new security considerations. "Utilities have geographic vulnerabilities in client-facing devices (either utility held or simply grid-connected) that may possess cyber vulnerabilities that could undermine either a company's revenue or the general security of the grid," Based on a McKinsey article on the subject.
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Each IoT device could be prey for cybercriminals. Therefore, IoT security is vital largely due to the extended attack surface of threats that have already been found.
Data Security in the Face of an Increasing Threat Landscape
Following extremely publicized ransomware attacks on utilities over the last year, security is a great concern for the energy sector. Still, as energy providers utilized IoT devices during the pandemic, the attack surface has risen even larger.
Most utilities serve great geographic areas, and unmanned IoT devices have made providing continuous service from a more stable grid easier.
Regular Security Issues Initiated by IoT Devices
Despite their several advantages, IoT devices can offer security risks "by giving cyber criminals access to connected networks, enabling them to steal critical corporate data and user credentials," as reported by Fortinet. "Consequently, organizations must understand how to safe IoT devices and determine the top IoT vendors."
How Utilities Can Enhance IoT Device Security
Some best techniques, for example, password management, network segmentation, and cloud-based solutions must be executed to decrease the risk allied with IoT devices.
Strong passwords can support the avoidance of many cyberattacks. Trend Micro advises users to find password managers who can help them create unique and strong passwords that can be saved in the app or software. This practice is important for IoT devices with restricted computational capabilities and limited space to offer the strong data protection and security necessary to protect against cyberattacks.
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