DOUG RANGI, OPSWAT
According to a recent report from the US Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT), the energy sector, including oil and gas, is facing a significant rise in cyber attacks. There are a number of reasons that this industry is an ideal target for attack: Oil and gas pipelines are part of a country’s critical infrastructure, and they are an ideal target for those looking to cause disruptions in critical services for political or military motives; The industry is highly competitive, as both private enterprise and countries engage in aggressive market share tactics, often with global implications; Intellectual property is highly-valued, making it an attractive target for cyber-espionage. Finally, the sheer value of the oil and gas industry’s commodities make it an especially lucrative target. With producer and broker transactions ranging in the millions, one carefully crafted attack can lead to a payout that could support the hacker’s operations for months, or even years.
- DOUG RANGI, OPSWAT
- Cyber Security & e-Crime
- Posted On
