It’s no secret that the renewable energy sector is booming, and there’s more to thank for that than
suburban families putting up a few solar panels. Solar panels, wind turbines, and smart grids are
becoming integrated into even the smallest cities and suburbs in the nation.
On its face, this renewable revolution is full of benefits. However, a deeper assessment shows that there
are sobering vulnerabilities that might be introduced into critical—even defense—energy infrastructure.
Implementing security measures that focus on the cloud-based nature of energy management platforms
is going to be important at each stage of the energy lifecycle.
Cloud Technology in Renewable Energy
The adoption of cloud technology in the renewable energy sector has completely changed energy
management. These distributed systems enable real-time monitoring and control of countless assets by
creating cloud-based platforms for data harvesting and large-scale analysis.
This can be used for rapid issue detection, analysis, and solution deployment. They can also help
optimize performance and efficiency. As seen in the GE renewable space, where sensors connected to
the IoT ecosystem report data to custom asset management software. The data is transformed and
analysed to predict failures and perform predictive maintenance.
Cybersecurity Threats in Renewable Energy
Connecting renewable energy systems and relying more on IoT increases the risk of cyber threats.
● Ransomware attacks encrypt critical data and halt operations until a ransom is paid.
● Attackers can access core management systems by exploiting third-party vendors or SaaS
platforms.
● Phishing and social engineering remain some of the most effective tactics. They rely on simple
deception to access internal systems.
● SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems are frequent targets. It’s because they
often have outdated security and are essential in many industrial processes.
The distributed nature of renewable energy components adds another layer of complication to the
security lasagna. Each new connected device is a potential entry point for attackers. Entire families or
classes of devices can also face large-scale vulnerabilities or exploits.
The pace at which cyber attacks are evolving is also accelerating, and threats now include aspects of AI.
Malware can now act as an autonomous pentester, finding and exploiting vulnerabilities all by itself once
deployed by a bad actor.
Russia remains one of the most active sources of nation-state cyberattacks, making the cybersecurity
situation increasingly critical. Tackling both present and future threats will require a strategy for the
renewable energy sector that is both comprehensive and targeted. The good news is that it starts with
two relatively easy steps.
Step 1: Securing Remote Data Access with VPNs
In nearly all renewable energy operations, remote access is a critical component for efficient
management and live monitoring. That said, this constant connectivity can introduce substantial
cybersecurity risks.
Effectively mitigating these risks will start with implementing a solid VPN. It will help create a secure data
tunnel between your end user and the data source. This tunnel will be protected with encryption and
industry-leading authentication. Using it, you can establish a secure communication channel with
authorized personnel.
This secure channel can significantly enhance basic cybersecurity, but it’s still only the first part of a
bigger picture.
Step 2: Enhancing Secure Data Access with Cloud Storage
The next step in protecting the sensitive data and operations within renewable energy systems is
integrating secure cloud storage. Cloud storage offers incredibly scalable and accessible data
repositories. However, it can still be a target unless it’s stored with industry-standard encryption.
Once data is written, it has two states: rest and transit. If you’ve secured your data in transit with a VPN,
it’s protected by the encrypted tunnel while in transit, but not once it gets where it’s going.
Cloud storage solutions for data critical to renewable energy systems and infrastructure should have
strong encryption and powerful authentication security. This might mean 2FA, MFA, or even a physical
security token, depending on the level of security needed.
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Renewable Energy Systems
While these two big steps are going to get us most of the way there, common security best practices are
still going to be a big factor in day-to-day cybersecurity.
● Migrate to a zero-trust security architecture where all requests are authenticated and authorized.
● Conduct regular periodic security audits to identify vulnerabilities and have them formally
addressed.
● Always use advanced encryption whenever possible to protect data in transit.
● Subdivide networks into segments to limit the spread and impact of any potential intrusions.
● Keep employees properly trained and up to date on common threats like phishing.
Protecting Renewable Energy’s Future
As energy systems become more digitally integrated, the effective implementation of best-in-class
cybersecurity will become increasingly critical. Using VPNs in conjunction with secure cloud storage is a
great first step, but adopting best practices and continuing to build a culture of cybersecurity awareness is
equally as important to the resilience and longevity of renewable energy infrastructure.
