Energy Sector Under Siege: Escalating Threats to Critical Systems
The energy, oil, and gas industries face an unprecedented rise in cyberattacks, with Operational Technology (OT) systems becoming prime targets. These attacks disrupt operations, threaten safety, and create ripple effects across global supply chains, emphasizing the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Rising Cyberattacks
Cyberattacks in the energy sector have increased by over 50% in recent years, with significant financial and operation consequences.
Economic Impact
Projected losses for the energy sector could exceed $70 billion by 2024.
High Stakes
A single day of productivity loss can cost $2.7M, magnifying the urgency for advanced security.
Expanding Attack Surface
The integration of IIoT, geopolitical tensions, and digital transformation has made the energy sector increasingly vulnerable.
Cyberattacks on the energy sector not only jeopardize business continuity but also threaten safety and disrupt global supply chains. These challenges demand proactive solutions to secure critical systems and ensure operational resilience.
The Invisinet Solution to your critical Energy, Oil & Gas Needs
Zero Trust Approach
limits access to critical systems to only pre-authorized users, reducing the chances of unauthorized actors gaining entry. This would include multi-factor authentication and strict user identity verification.
Maximize Your ZTNA Investments
Incorporating identity data within session packets enhances real-time network auditing and reduces false indicators of compromise. Additionally, Invisinet enhances your anomaly detection, making it smarter and more effective.
Seamless IT and OT Integration
Invisinet bridges IT and OT layers, providing end-to-end, low-latency protection within heterogeneous environments. This ensures that both domains are secured effectively without compromising speed or efficiency, making it a truly cost-effective solution for industrial and critical infrastructure.
Regulatory Assurance
Invisinet supports regulatory compliance by integrating real-time auditing features, ensuring that identity information is accurately monitored and reported within session packets. This not only helps meet evolving cybersecurity regulations but also mitigates non-compliance risks, all while delivering cost-effective and low-disruption solutions that align with operational needs.
Cloaking Key Systems
Invisinet’s cloaking technology hides key IT and OT systems (particularly SCADA) from the attackers, making it harder for them to identify which assets to target.
The Colonial Pipeline attack was carried out by the DarkSide ransomware group, a cybercriminal organization known for targeting large corporations. This ransomware attack, which targeted a critical U.S. pipeline, disrupted fuel supplies along the East Coast. Although the malware only affected IT systems, the company proactively shut down OT systems to prevent the ransomware from spreading. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and led to policy discussions on strengthening cybersecurity measures across OT systems.
Impact
Shutdown of Pipeline
Colonial Pipeline shut down its OT systems to prevent the malware from potentially spreading into the physical pipeline control systems.
Fuel Shortages and Panic Buying
The pipeline shutdown for five days and led to widespread fuel shortages. This led to long lines at gas stations, with some states experiencing up to 70% of fuel stations without gasoline.
Price Hikes
The price of gasoline surged across the U.S., with some regions seeing prices rise by as much as 10 to 20 cents per gallon.
Airline Disruptions
The shortage of jet fuel also affected airlines, which had to reroute flights to ensure that they could refuel at unaffected airports. This added operational costs and delays for the aviation industry.
Business Disruption
Businesses reliant on fuel for transportation, such as logistics and supply chain companies, faced higher operating costs and delays.
Following NotPetya, federal agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued updated guidelines for critical infrastructure companies, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management, enhanced network segmentation, and stronger defenses for IT and OT systems to limit malware spread.
Emphasis on Supply Chain Security
The U.S. government and international partners highlighted the need for pharmaceutical companies and other critical manufacturers to develop robust contingency plans for cyber disruptions. The goal is to protect supply chains and maintain production continuity during cyber incidents.
Lessons Learned
Importance of Timely Patch Management
Ensuring systems are up-to-date with security patches is critical to preventing malware from exploiting known vulnerabilities.
Strong Network Segmentation
Dividing networks and systems into segments can limit the spread of malware and protect critical operations from wider disruptions.
Preparedness for Supply Chain Impact
Companies need robust contingency plans for supply chain disruptions caused by cyberattacks, especially in critical industries like pharmaceuticals.
Legal and Regulatory Preparedness
Understanding and ensuring compliance with cyber insurance policies is essential, as insurers may challenge coverage based on specific policy exclusions.
Invisinet’s advanced Zero Trust solutions significantly mitigate attacks by addressing vulnerabilities in IT and OT systems and enhancing network defenses. Here’s how Invisinet’s solutions proactively prevent and reduce potential damages:
First Packet Authentication™ (FPA) to Prevent Initial Infection
Invisinet’s patented FPA technology ensures that every connection is authenticated at the first packet of data, blocking unauthorized access before any communication begins.
Network Cloaking to Hide Critical Systems
Invisinet cloaks IT and OT systems, making them invisible to unauthorized users. This prevents attackers from performing reconnaissance or identifying critical assets.
Identity-Based Micro-Segmentation to Contain Threats
Invisinet isolates IT and OT systems into secure zones using identity-based policies, restricting lateral movement within the network.
Dynamic Policy Enforcement for Real-Time Protection
Invisinet dynamically enforces security policies using analytics and Confidence Level APIs, ensuring continuous protection as threats evolve.
Seamless IT/OT Integration to Protect Operations
Invisinet bridges IT and OT layers with end-to-end security, ensuring that vulnerabilities in one domain do not affect the other.
Proactive Compliance with Regulatory Standards
Invisinet supports compliance with directives like Presidential Executive Order 14028 by providing advanced Zero Trust architecture and real-time auditing of identity and session data.
The Result with Invisinet in Place
No Disruption to Operations
IT and OT systems remain secure, preventing the need for an OT shutdown.
Fuel Supply Maintained
Continuous operations avoid fuel shortages, price hikes, and business disruptions.
Regulatory Readiness
Invisinet’s real-time monitoring and compliance features ensure resilience against future attacks while meeting federal cybersecurity standards.
The Time to Act is Now
Proactively protect your energy, oil, and gas operations with Invisinet’s advanced cybersecurity solutions, built to meet the unique challenges of this critical sector.