Cybersecurity in the Power Grid – A 360° View | Part 5 #71

Welcome to the 5th episode of our Energy Talks miniseries, called Cybersecurity in the Power Grid, in which we provide you with a 360-degree view of how power grids can best safeguard their infrastructures from cyber-attacks.

In this episode, Andreas Klien, OMICRON cybersecurity expert and Business Area Manager of Power Utility Communication, discusses the security engineering of digital products used in the power grid with his guest, Sarah Fluchs, Chief Technology Officer at admeritia GmbH. Together, they debate the question, “Can power grid operators trust their manufacturers to ensure reliable cybersecurity?”

Andreas and Sarah conduct their discussion from the perspective of an OT security officer. They address the pending EU Cyber Resilience Act and how it can help better secure the power grid and other critical infrastructures by requiring manufacturers to build cybersecurity measures into their products and the significance of security certificates for digital products, especially OT devices.

They also discuss the growing use of a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and how it can help manufacturers be more transparent and enable power grid operators to identify possible security issues in products.

Lastly, Andreas and Sarah discuss the importance of open, 2-way communication between power grid operators and manufacturers to achieve security goals.

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes in our Cybersecurity in the Power Grid miniseries.