Cybersecurity for Energy Companies

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Energy companies run critical infrastructure, and attackers know it. The 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack shut down the largest fuel pipeline in the U.S. for days, and it started with a single compromised VPN password. Since then, expectations across the sector have gone up.

Cytek is based in Tulsa, in the middle of the energy industry. We protect operators, midstream companies, and oilfield service and inspection firms with 24/7 monitoring and testing through the Safeguard™ platform.

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The risks we see in energy

  • Remote sites and remote access. Field locations, VPNs and vendor connections are common ways in.
  • IT and OT connections. Business networks often reach SCADA and control systems more than they should.
  • Contractors and shared accounts. Lots of third parties and lots of logins to keep track of.
  • Ransomware and payment fraud. Fake invoices and bank change requests target the large transactions energy companies make.

Regulation

What regulators and customers expect

  • Pipelines: since 2021, TSA security directives have required designated pipeline owners and operators to segment networks, control access, monitor continuously, patch, keep an incident response plan and test their security. In November 2024, TSA proposed making these requirements permanent.
  • Electric utilities: NERC CIP standards apply to the bulk electric system.
  • Everyone else: customers, insurers and partners increasingly ask for proof, such as MFA, monitoring and regular testing.

Even if you are not directly regulated, your customers probably are, and they will ask what you do.

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How Cytek helps

Related

Also see

Manufacturing

Ransomware protection and CMMC readiness for manufacturers.

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Safeguard platform

MDR, SIEM, ITDR, scanning and more in one portal.

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Penetration testing

A hands-on test of how far an attacker could get.

Learn more →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do you work with companies outside healthcare?

Yes. Healthcare is our core, but the same platform and team protect energy, manufacturing and other businesses.

Do you secure SCADA and control systems?

We focus on the IT side, where most attacks start: email, remote access, servers and user accounts, and on keeping business networks properly separated from operations.

Do the TSA pipeline directives apply to us?

They apply to pipeline owners and operators that TSA has designated as critical. If you are not sure, check with your compliance team or counsel. We can help you meet the security requirements either way.

What is a good first step?

A vulnerability scan or penetration test of your internet-facing systems, including VPNs and remote access, usually finds the biggest risks fastest.

Sources: Colonial Pipeline compromised password (GovTech) · TSA pipeline directive requirements (ExecutiveGov) · TSA proposed rule, Nov 2024 (Jones Day). This page is general information, not legal advice.

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