Energy is one sector that is more prone than most to cyberattacks . Cybersecurity firm Hornetsecurity reports that 16 percent of known cyberattacks are against energy companies .
The truth of this is borne out by global consulting firm Wood , which specialises in engineering across energy and the built environment . In an article published in August 2021 , Wood gives instances of energy cyberattacks , and how digital twin technology is the best way to thwart such attacks .
Cybercriminals have energy sector in their sights Among the energy cyberattacks listed by Wood were :
• The six-day Colonial Pipeline shutdown . One of the nation ’ s largest pipelines - which carries petrol and jet fuel from Texas to New York — was forced to shut down after being hit by ransomware . It carries 45 per cent of the
“ To mitigate risks and build operational resilience the key is to use digital twin technology when and where it matters ”
SEBASTIAN REITER MCKINSEY ASSOCIATE PARTNER
East Coast ’ s fuel supplies , and the shutdown sparked panic-buying and hoarding that overwhelmed petrol stations in the southeast of the United States . It ’ s the most disruptive energy cyberattack on record .
• The Ukrainian power facility attack . Operators noticed their control system computers were being manipulated but not in time to prevent power outages affecting 230,000 people
46 January 2022