- AI and Energy Security: The UK's Crucial Cybersecurity Challenge – Learn why safeguarding the energy sector is critical for the UK's AI ambitions and technological leadership.
- Rising Cyber Threats: Ransomware and Legacy Systems in the Energy Sector – Explore the increasing risks, including ransomware attacks and vulnerabilities in outdated infrastructure.
- Building Resilience: Strategies to Fortify the Energy Sector Against Cyberattacks – Discover essential cybersecurity measures to protect the UK’s energy infrastructure and ensure operational stability.
The UK’s ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) marks a transformative era. However, the foundation of this progress—the energy sector—has emerged as a prime target for cybercriminals.
While AI-driven technologies offer greater efficiency and resilience, they also heighten the sector’s vulnerability to cyberattacks. To sustain the nation’s AI advancements, ensuring the security of the energy infrastructure must be a critical priority.
Understanding the Evolving Threat Landscape
Trustwave’s latest report reveals that the average cost of a data breach in the energy sector stands at $5.29 million, surpassing the cross-industry average of $4.8 million. Beyond financial losses, a cyberattack on the UK’s energy grid could cause widespread operational disruptions, compromise national security, and erode public trust. Given the sector’s pivotal role in supporting AI-driven progress, the stakes are alarmingly high.
The sector’s reliance on aging infrastructure exacerbates these risks. Thames Water reported in 2024 that some of its IT systems date back to the 1980s, rendering them highly susceptible to attacks. Legacy systems also struggle to integrate with modern security solutions, increasing the difficulty of defending against threats without interrupting critical operations.
Furthermore, the adoption of digital technologies like Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and the Internet of Things (IoT) has expanded the sector’s attack surface. While these innovations boost efficiency, they also introduce new vulnerabilities. Securing both operational technology (OT) and IT systems requires specialized cybersecurity approaches that balance security with operational reliability.
Ransomware: A Growing Threat to Energy Infrastructure
The UK’s heightened AI ambitions have further elevated the energy sector as a prime target for ransomware attacks. A notable 80% year-over-year increase in ransomware incidents targeting energy and utility providers was recorded globally, particularly in the latter half of 2023 and the first half of 2024. The proliferation of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) has empowered even less-skilled attackers to execute sophisticated campaigns.
Supply chain vulnerabilities remain a critical concern. Cybercriminals often target third-party vendors and service providers who may have inadequate security controls. Once compromised, these suppliers become gateways for ransomware attacks that can cascade across interconnected energy networks.
Compounding the challenge is the sector’s limited visibility into its own assets. Many energy providers lack comprehensive asset inventories, making it difficult to monitor access points and detect anomalous activities. Attackers exploit these blind spots to navigate systems undetected, increasing the likelihood of successful attacks.
Remote access technologies, including Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and SMB/Windows Admin Shares, further expand the attack surface. Without stringent access controls and continuous monitoring, these tools become conduits for ransomware infiltration.
Strengthening Cyber Resilience in Energy Operations
Addressing the challenge of legacy systems requires a strategic and phased approach. Energy companies can mitigate vulnerabilities by implementing virtual patching for outdated systems, applying strict access controls, and segmenting networks to isolate critical assets. Seamless integration of OT and IT environments, backed by secure design principles, ensures operational stability.
Adopting a zero-trust security framework is also essential. Zero-trust mandates continuous verification of users and devices, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, deploying specialized OT cybersecurity measures such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) tailored for industrial environments ensures that threats are identified without compromising operational reliability.
Operational resilience must remain a top priority. For example, a recent study highlighted that an attack on a gas storage facility containing 400 million cubic meters of gas could result in a 14.6-day outage, leaving London’s 8.87 million residents without supply. Proactive threat intelligence, dark web monitoring, and well-rehearsed incident response plans are essential to minimizing the impact of cyberattacks.
Strengthening supply chain security is equally critical. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), conducting regular vendor assessments, and enforcing compliance with cybersecurity standards can fortify defenses across the ecosystem.
Securing the Future: A Collaborative Approach
As the UK pursues AI leadership, the energy sector must remain vigilant against the evolving cyber threat landscape. The success of AI-driven innovation is inextricably linked to a resilient and secure energy infrastructure.
By investing in modern cybersecurity frameworks, enhancing threat intelligence capabilities, and fostering collaboration between government and industry stakeholders, the UK can protect its critical infrastructure from malicious actors. A fortified energy sector will not only support AI advancements but also strengthen the nation’s broader economic and national security objectives.
In the AI-powered future, cybersecurity is not merely a safeguard—it is a strategic enabler of innovation and resilience. Prioritizing decisive action today ensures the UK’s ambitions remain unchallenged in the digital age.
A version of this blog originally appeared in TechRadar.
