Navigating cyber threats in the energy sector: Insights from Gas, electricity & the European Commission
Date
24 Oct 2023
Sections
Energy
From data exchange to cyber resilience, this third edition gathered experts from the European Commission, ENISA (EU Agency for Cybersecurity), Gas, Electricity, and technology providers on 17-18 October 2023. Organised in GIE and ENTSOG offices, at the heart of the Brussels EU quarter, participants could assess the challenges related to Data exchange and cybersecurity while raising awareness of the threats and solutions.
The discussions unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Brussels and worldwide. The ongoing geopolitical challenges underscore the pressing need to bolster the security of Europe’s energy infrastructure. Throughout the event, experts from across Europe engaged in critical discussions on the resurgence of cyberattacks and the growing imperative for secure data exchange, all in the service of safeguarding Europe’s energy system.
Hendrik Pollex, ENTSOG Director, System Operation: “These valuable stakeholder exchanges, with insights from relevant experts, present an opportunity to bolster our resilience and energy security and strengthen the synergies between the gas and electricity sectors. In essence, the workshop demonstrated that the path to digitalisation and integration goes hand in hand with cybersecurity and seamless data exchange, facilitated in the gas sector by the application of ENTSOG’s operation tools.”
Boyana Achovski, GIE Secretary General, supports the joint initiative: “In these tumultuous times, with geopolitical tensions and the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats, vigilance is paramount. It is imperative for the gas and electricity sectors, in collaboration with the European Commission, to work closely to achieve optimal results. Gas infrastructure will keep facilitating the cooperation among gas, electricity, industry stakeholders and policymakers in order to fortifying Europe’s resilience.”
Key Highlights:
In-Depth Threat Landscape Analysis:
The event featured an in-depth analysis of the current threat landscape in the energy sector. Experts provided valuable insights into the challenges and risks faced by the industry.
Geopolitical Context:
Digital technologies in the energy sector remain a pivotal source of geopolitical power, as it could be witnessed over the past months via the extreme pressure inflicted on the energy infrastructure worldwide. Topics such as the threats by hacktivist organisations or incidents like the interconnector between Finland and Estonia were explored by different experts, enabling the audience to zoom in on the technical dimensions and discuss the solutions for prevention.
The Growing Significance of AI in Cybersecurity:
The workshop underlined the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. Participants discussed how AI technologies are becoming a game-changer in cybersecurity, both as defenders and attackers. Their capacity to analyse enormous amounts of data quickly, without human oversight, makes them ideal for identifying suspicious activity and defending against advanced threats.
Evolution Through Time:
Attendees delved into the historical evolution of data exchange and cybersecurity in the energy sector, recognising the advancements and shifts over the years. The timeframe underlined the exponential acceleration of improvement of the technologies and the difficulties for policies to catch up.
Meet the Speakers
The workshop witnessed a diverse array of participants and presenters, including high-level speakers such as:
- Balkantel Ltd. | Orlin Rachev
- EC | Bogdan Dumitriu
- EDA | Ioannis Chatzialexandris
- EDSO | Olivier Clement
- ENCS | Maarten Hoeve
- ENISA | Alexandros Zacharis
- ENISA | Georgia Bafoutsou
- ENISA | Konstantinos Moulinos
- ENTSO-E | Ivan Stefek
- ENTSOG | Anton Kolisnyk
- ENTSOG | Douglas Hill
- ENTSOG | Hendrik Pollex
- ENTSOG Pim van der Eijk
- Equinor | Jarle Ronnevik
- F24 | Alessandro Lazari
- Fluxys Belgium | Dirk Serruys
- Gasunie | Onno Wesselink
- GIE | David Defour
- ICI | Alexandru Georgescu
- N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie | Wim de Olde
- Navitasoft | Christoph Malzer
- SNAM | Lucrezia Tunesi
- Ukraine TSO | Andrii Prokofev
- VNG Handel & Vertrieb GmbH | Oliver Schirok
A workshop jointly organised by GIE, ENTSOG and EASEE-Gas
About GIE, ENTSOG & EASEE-Gas:
ENTSOG (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas), EASEE-Gas (European Association for the Streamlining of Energy Exchange), and GIE (Gas Infrastructure Europe) are leading organisations in the energy sector, committed to facilitating secure, efficient, and sustainable energy exchange across Europe. These organizations work collaboratively to enhance the safety and reliability of energy infrastructure through innovative approaches, knowledge sharing, and industry-wide cooperation.
Contact
Gabrielle Lelievre
Communication Advisor
+32 478 78 34 83
About GIE
GIE is the association of the gas infrastructure operators of Europe. It has 68 member companies from 27 countries active in transmission, underground storage, and LNG terminals. They work and innovate with various infrastructures for low-carbon and renewable molecules, including hydrogen, biomethane, and synthetic and natural gases. GIE members’ mission is to enhance Europe’s energy transition with future-proofed solutions to decarbonise the economy and strengthen the security of supply to ensure a resilient energy system for EU citizens and industries.