The landscape of the energy sector is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by rapid digital transformation and an increasing reliance on technology. As companies evolve into software-driven enterprises, they find themselves navigating a complex web of risks that were previously unimaginable.
Fresh research from KPMG and Security Scorecard reveals a startling statistic: nearly half of all security breaches in the energy industry over the past year were linked to third-party vendors.
This figure starkly contrasts with the global average of 29% for supply chain breaches across other industries, indicating that energy companies are facing unique challenges in safeguarding their operations.
Following this research, experts from Check Point Software and Black Duck consider why the energy sector is at such high risk of supply chain attacks and what can be done.
Supply chains in the energy sector
The reliance on a myriad of suppliers and partners creates multiple points of entry for attackers, allowing them to infiltrate networks and access sensitive information with alarming ease.
Recent high-profile incidents underscore the potential consequences of these vulnerabilities.
The Colonial Pipeline attack serves as a sobering reminder that a single breach can disrupt fuel supplies across entire regions, affecting both businesses and consumers alike.
As the energy sector grapples with these challenges, it becomes increasingly clear that robust cybersecurity measures must be prioritised to protect against the ever-present threat of supply chain attacks.
“Most energy companies are now software companies that deliver energy to their customers via their software and technology,” says Scott Johnson, VP of Product Management at Black Duck.
