Authors - Edidiong Akpabio, Sudhir Agarmore, Akshay Kumar Abstract - As digital technologies become increasingly ingrained in critical energy infrastructure, a looming threat is cyberattacked as the sector has absorbed all the data acquisition and supervisory control systems, smart grids, and industrial control systems, with associated operational efficiencies, but at the cost of an expanded attack surface in terms of cyber threats. This paper aims at identifying the unique cybersecurity issues in CEI that pose threat scenarios that include, for instance, their vulnerability to legacy system vulnerabilities, insider threats, and more complex attack vectors such as advanced persistent threats and ransomware. Finally, it points out the need for proactive risk assessment, network segmentation, advanced defence mechanisms such as intrusion prevention and detection systems, and zero trust architectures. Newer technologies like machine learning, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and quantum cryptography offer new opportunities for better cybersecurity. It can foresee the occurrence of a particular attack through AI-based threat detection systems. Blockchain provides security in energy transactions while making unbreakable encryption of critical communications. This paper insists on better, much more comprehensive disaster recovery and incident response plans to minimize the impacts caused by cyberattacks and it concludes by advocating a multi-layered cybersecurity strategy with the intent of integrating advanced detection systems and risk management practices into a solid collaboration between the government and private sectors aimed at enhancing the stability of global energy supplies.
Open Zoom
