Cybersecurity and cyber-terrorism challenges to energy-related infrastructures – Cybersecurity frameworks and economics – Comprehensive review

Abstract

This paper comprehensively reviews the challenges posed by cybersecurity and cyber-terrorism to energy-related infrastructures. The article highlights the difficulty in monitoring, managing, and measuring cybersecurity threats and discuss the critical need for analysis in this area, particularly in the energy sector, where control and command operations are conducted in an internetworked environment. Despite the energy industry's effective risk management practices, it remains vulnerable to cyber-terrorism, as evidenced by the Stuxnet attack. This hardware-software co-designed mechanism targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. The authors explore the technical aspects of Stuxnet and its impact on the energy sector, emphasising the need for proactive measures to mitigate the risks posed by cyber-terrorism. The economic implications of cyberattacks on energy infrastructures are also discussed, including the potential for significant financial losses and reputational damage. The authors provide practical guidance on preventive measures and defence mechanisms, such as network segmentation, access control, and encryption, to help prevent cyberattacks. In a nutshell, this paper serves as a timely and insightful reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by energy-related infrastructures in cybersecurity and cyber-terrorism. It underscores the need to continue developing effective risk management strategies and implementing appropriate measures to protect against cyber threats.