The sector's control systems are traditionally based on specialised, technologically closed, isolated and physically protected technologies and devices. Market integration and efficiency requirements, as well as the need to develop new services, constantly require the integration of new technologies into existing systems. These include IIoT devices, wirelessly connected devices, IP-based remote control and remote information services, or even cloud-based analytics device interfaces.
In addition to the information-gathering, activism and extortion, cyberspace has seen the emergence of attackers with motivations that specifically threaten the security of energy supplies and the integrity of technological assets. This is coupled with the fact that these actions are being prepared and executed by increasingly organised actors, sometimes with a high level of skills and industry knowledge, and sometimes with presumed state support.
These factors, reinforced by each other, call for a more effective cyber protection of the single European electricity supply system than has been the case so far, without compromising security of supply. Recognising this, the EU has embarked on an extensive codification exercise, which will result in a set of EU regulations and the resulting national legislation being binding for the majority of energy market players and control system suppliers by the end of 2024.
We provide up-to-date cybersecurity information and AI based expert solutions to the electricity market participants in their regulatory, investing, operational, maintenance, and customer support activities related to the complex risk management of their critical energy infrastructure components.
Be aware of the ever-increasing impact of cyber security on the security of electricity supply
Be up-to-day informed and plan your cyber security activities in order to increase the security of electricity supply
Check your compliance against the complex regulatory framework on regular basis
Complete your Risk Preparedness framework with the missing cyber security components
Embed the cyber security risk assessment into your critical business processes
National regulatory authorities (NRAs) have a key role to play in ensuring that each European country meets its targets for energy markets and implements the relevant EU regulatory policy.
Transmission System Operators (TSOs) are responsible for the efficient and reliable transmission of electricity from generation plants via the power grid to regional and local electricity distribution operators. TSOs are responsible to procure ancillary services to guarantee system security, to enact balancing services after markets closure to ensure the security of energy supply at the least cost and they use balancing energy from frequency restoration reserves to ensure supply is equal to demand and to reduce the need for back-up generation.
Distribution System Operators (DSOs) operate, manage, and may own the local and regional energy distribution networks, which transport electricity to end users. DSOs are thus responsible for connecting renewables, as well as enabling flexibility, supporting electrification and empowering consumers to engage in an increasingly decentralized energy landscape.
Power plants are mainly divided into conventional and renewable types and in the last decade the renewable energy sources have increased considerably their share in power system. The power plants can participate on the wholesale and balancing services markets.
In the European Union, the electricity market has been designed to incentivize the clean energy transition while delivering on key objectives of energy security and affordability. Energy trader companies are responsible for trading electricity on the wholesale, retail, balancing mechanism and balancing services markets.
The role of independent aggregators is to enable active participation of small energy consumers and producers in the electricity market while increasing security of supply and making the grid more resilient. They continuously monitor the needs of the electricity grid on one side and the energy consumption and generation of many distributed assets on the other. When the grid is stressed or out of balance, aggregators adjust the consumption or production of those distributed energy assets to help the grid restore balance.
Each IT and OT hardware and software system supplier to the electricity market participants, whose products are part of the important and critical energy infrastructure is responsible for the quality and security of these products and services. The supply chain security is thus of high importance to the security of electricity supply.
Our knowledge domain covers all cybersecurity aspects of the electricity supply security with 20+ years’ experience of the vulnerabilities and risks associated with interconnected systems and the electricity grid. Our staff is specialized in preventing, protecting, and securing the important and critical infrastructure of the electricity system from cyber threats and attacks.Our experts are well-versed in various cybersecurity frameworks, standards, and best practices specific to the energy sector. They understand in-deep the potential impact of cyberattacks on the electricity supply, including the disruption of power generation, transmission, and distribution.
