Present Danger: Cyber Attacks On Power Grids

The uncomfortable reality is that cyber attacks have doubled between 2020 and 2022 in the energy sector. Indeed, there were 48 successful attacks hitting Europe’s energy infrastructure in 2022 alone - which is is why cyber security has become a key component of ensuring overall energy security. 

In particular, cyber security experts in the Netherlands  have been closely monitoring the major power outage affecting Spain and Portugal and are raising pressing concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. 

Following the very large-scale and prolonged power outage which affected large parts of Spain and Portugal, including major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon, the government  authorities in both countries are urgently  investigating the cause.

Now, the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is advising citizens to prepare for the possibility of similar future disruptions in the Netherlands. 

Initially, there were fears that a cyber attack could be behind the widespread disruptions in Portugal and Spain,  however, Spain's grid operator currently does not think that the outage was caused by a cyber attack, although that is in dispute. While the Spanish authorities have attributed the outage to weather-related factors, experts in the Netherlands have warned that similar issues with critical infrastructure could indeed be caused by cyber attacks. 

In comment, the CEO of ESETDave Maasland, said "At this stage, very little is confirmed, and attacks on critical infrastructure at this scale remain rare. That’s why it's important to wait for official updates. In some cases, the fear of a cyberattack can itself be a tactic by adversaries to incite panic and confusion. Human error and technical failures without any cyber component remain possible explanations"

There have been other cyber attacks on power grids, including numerous attacks by Russian hackers that  have disabled power systems in western Ukraine. Now, the Red Cross in the Netherlands is reported to have echoed the NCSC’s advice, suggesting that even short-term power outages could lead to widespread disruption and even social unrest. 

ESET   |   Darktrace   |    NL Times:    |   Rafael Narezzi   |   Volts    |   Southern Solutions

Image:  Ideogram

You Might Also Read:

Ransomware Attacks On The Energy Sector Surging:


If you like this website and use the comprehensive 8,000-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible


 

« Five Key Lessons For Building A Resilient Cyber Security Department
Concerted Successful Attacks On British Retailers »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

Resecurity

Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

D-RisQ

D-RisQ

D-RisQ is focussed on delivering techniques to reduce the development costs of complex systems and software whilst maximising compliance

Sapphire

Sapphire

Sapphire deliver flexible and scalable cybersecurity solutions, helping organisations to detect, protect, respond and remediate against cyber threats.

RISA

RISA

RISA solutions help to secure networks, improve overall network security, and achieve government regulatory compliance.

NQA Certification

NQA Certification

NQA provides certification to a range of ISO standards including ISO 27001 for information security management.

Idemia

Idemia

Idemia is a global leader in security and identity solutions.

ACI Worldwide

ACI Worldwide

ACI Worldwide powers electronic payments for more than 5,000 organizations around the world.

Gate 15

Gate 15

Gate 15 provide risk management services focusing primarily on information, intelligence and threat analysis, operational support and preparedness.

CyberSaint Security

CyberSaint Security

CyberSaint’s CyberStrong Platform empowers organizations to implement automated, intelligent cybersecurity compliance and risk management.

Flix11

Flix11

Flix11 is a Cyber Security & ICT Solutions focused company. We provide a range of products and services in Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT) and infrastructure solutions.

10dot Cloud Security

10dot Cloud Security

10dot Cloud Security is a security service management company. Our solutions give you contextualised visibility into your network security.

BullWall

BullWall

BullWall is a digital innovator dedicated to fight cybercrime in its many forms. Our overarching purpose is to stop new and unknown strings of ransomware attacks in its tracks.

Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) - USA

Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) - USA

Air Forces Cyber provides mission integration of Information Warfare at operational and tactical levels, creating dilemmas for adversaries in competition and, if necessary, future conflicts.

Seigur

Seigur

Seigur is an IT consultancy business providing flexible legal and cyber security services for IT and data privacy programmes.

Eleos Labs

Eleos Labs

Eleos Labs' suite of security tools prevent Web3 cyber attacks, reduce economic risks, and protect digital assets.

Brightside AI

Brightside AI

Brightside AI is a Swiss cybersecurity SaaS that helps teams combat AI-enabled phishing threats. Protect your team today.

Anzen Technology Systems

Anzen Technology Systems

Anzen create software solutions which allows organisations to utilize the public cloud for sensitive or classified information, whilst increasing data security and retaining data sovereignty.