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The government’s push to “mainlineAIinto the veins” of the nation marks a transformative era.
Vice President of Consulting and Professional Services for EMEA at Trustwave.
One of the more significant challenges is the sector’s reliance on ageing infrastructure and legacy systems.
Thames Water highlighted in 2024 that some IT systems date back to the 1980s, leaving them highly vulnerable.
Outdated systems also hinder compatibility with modern security solutions, essential for protecting against cyber threats without disrupting operations.
While this enhances efficiency, increasing digital transformation also expands the risk of cyberattacks.
This integration exposes vulnerabilities and complicates securing both operational technology (OT) andIT infrastructures.
Securing OT systems requires specialized cybersecurity approaches due to their proprietary nature and direct impact on physical infrastructure.
Finally, energy companies face significant challenges in overhauling aging infrastructure due to costs and operational risks.
The number of attacks was notably higher in the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024.
A pressing concern is the sector’s supply chain weaknesses.
Compounding this challenge is a fundamental lack of visibility within energy organizations.
Remote services further expand the attack surface, providing cybercriminals with a pathway into critical systems.
Zero-trust security frameworks need to be established as these require continuous verification of all users and devices.
Such a framework further reduces risks associated with interconnected IT and OT environments.
We’ve featured the best encryption software.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc.