Oil and gas production, transportation, and refining processes rely heavily on automation and control systems connected to the internet, making the sector vulnerable to cyberattacks due to the high value of the data and systems they control.
According to the latest ransomware report by Sophos, Energy/Oil & Gas/utilities is now the industry with the third highest rate of attack with 67 percent targeted by ransomware last year. Exploited vulnerabilities were the leading cause of such attacks and affected more computer systems than any other sector.
The need to optimize production and minimize downtime is crucial in this industry. Leveraging digital technologies can aid in streamlining processes, improving decision-making, and reducing inefficiencies.
While digital transformation may be exacerbating cyberattacks, the answer to optimizing processes, increasing cybersecurity, and meeting new government reporting regulations, may be rooted in additional technology. Today we are joined by, Cody Bann, director of engineering with SmartSights, for more on this key topic.
