0
Prior OT Security
Assessments
300%
increase in cyberattacks
on energy infrastructure (2023)
on energy infrastructure (2023)
$4.8M
average cost of an energy
sector data breach
sector data breach
#2
most targeted critical
infrastructure sector
infrastructure sector
72hrs
NERC CIP incident
notification requirement
notification requirement
The Threat Landscape
Nation-State Threats to Grid Infrastructure
Sophisticated nation-state actors: including groups attributed to Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea: actively target energy infrastructure for espionage, pre-positioning for potential disruption, and intelligence collection. VOLT TYPHOON, SANDWORM, and ELECTRUM are documented threat actors with specific energy sector focus.
Ransomware Targeting Operational Systems
Ransomware groups target energy companies because operational disruption: even without reaching OT systems: creates immediate pressure. The Colonial Pipeline attack demonstrated that IT ransomware can force OT shutdowns through operational interdependence even when OT systems themselves are not compromised.
IT/OT Pivot Attacks
Attackers who establish initial access in IT environments use it as a staging point for pivoting toward OT systems. Engineering workstations, data historians, and remote access infrastructure are common pivot points. Once OT access is achieved, attackers can conduct reconnaissance of industrial processes without triggering IT-focused monitoring.
Supply Chain Compromise via ICS Vendors
Industrial control system vendors, engineering contractors, and remote maintenance providers represent trusted third parties with access to OT environments. Supply chain attacks targeting ICS vendors: as demonstrated by the SolarWinds and TRITON/TRISIS attacks: can compromise multiple energy operators simultaneously through a single vendor compromise.
How AI Is Being Used to Attack This Industry
AI-Automated ICS Reconnaissance
AI tools conduct automated reconnaissance of industrial control system environments: scanning for exposed HMIs, identifying OT protocols on the network, and enumerating equipment types from passive traffic analysis. This intelligence enables targeted attacks against specific ICS vulnerabilities.
AI-Enhanced Spear-Phishing Against Engineers
AI-generated spear-phishing targeting OT engineers and grid operators is personalized with equipment-specific terminology, contractor names, and operational context assembled from public sources. These attacks specifically target credentials for engineering workstations and remote access systems.
AI-Optimized Lateral Movement to OT
AI tools optimize lateral movement through complex energy infrastructure, identifying the fastest path from IT to OT while adapting to detection patterns. This compresses the time from initial access to OT system access from days or weeks to hours.
AI-Powered Industrial Protocol Fuzzing
AI tools are used to fuzz industrial protocols: Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850: identifying implementation vulnerabilities in specific equipment versions. This automated protocol testing enables targeted attacks against known-vulnerable equipment without requiring manual protocol expertise.
How We Help
OT/ICS Security Assessment
We assess energy OT environments against NERC CIP standards and IEC 62443: identifying remote access exposures, unencrypted protocols, default credentials, and network segmentation gaps between IT and OT.
Learn MoreNERC CIP Compliance
We guide electric utilities through NERC CIP gap assessments, evidence management, and audit preparation for applicable CIP reliability standards: CIP-002 through CIP-014.
Learn MoreIT/OT Architecture Review
We review IT/OT DMZ architecture, historian connectivity, engineering workstation access, and remote vendor access against energy sector security best practices and NERC CIP requirements.
Learn MoreOT Incident Response Planning
We build energy-specific IR playbooks that define which systems can be isolated for investigation and which must remain operational, regulatory notification requirements for grid security events, and safe OT containment procedures.
Learn MoreOT Security Monitoring
We deploy and configure OT-native monitoring: Claroty, Dragos, Nozomi Networks: that understands industrial protocols and detects anomalous behavior in SCADA and DCS environments without disrupting operations.
Learn MoreCritical Infrastructure Threat Intelligence
We provide threat intelligence specific to energy sector adversaries: current TTPs targeting energy OT, monitoring for energy-sector credentials on criminal forums, and sector-specific IoC feeds.
Learn MoreHow We Use AI to Protect You
OT-Aware Behavioral Monitoring
We deploy AI models trained on energy sector OT traffic: understanding normal Modbus, DNP3, and SCADA communication patterns so genuine anomalies are detected without generating false positives from industrial protocol activity.
AI-Assisted Grid Security Investigation
AI-assisted investigation tools help operators understand the scope and progression of potential grid security events quickly: essential when regulatory notification timelines are measured in hours.
Nation-State Threat Intelligence
AI-driven threat intelligence specific to energy sector nation-state actors: tracking active campaigns, new TTPs, and indicators of pre-positioning activity targeting energy infrastructure.
Automated NERC CIP Evidence Collection
AI-assisted compliance tools automate NERC CIP evidence collection: reducing the manual effort of compliance documentation while ensuring evidence completeness for audits.
Regulatory & Compliance Requirements
NERC CIP: Bulk Electric System
Mandatory cybersecurity requirements for entities owning or operating bulk electric system assets in North America. Covers electronic security perimeters, physical security, systems security management, incident response, and supply chain risk management. Non-compliance carries significant financial penalties.
View ServicesCISA Cyber Incident Reporting (CIRCIA)
CIRCIA requires critical infrastructure owners: including energy: to report covered cyber incidents to CISA within 72 hours of discovery and ransomware payments within 24 hours. Implementing rules will specify covered entities and incident types.
View ServicesIEC 62443: Industrial Cybersecurity
The IEC 62443 series provides comprehensive cybersecurity requirements for industrial automation and control systems. Increasingly referenced in energy sector contracts and regulatory guidance as the technical standard for OT security.
View ServicesTSA Pipeline Cybersecurity Directives
Pipeline operators are subject to TSA cybersecurity directives requiring incident reporting, vulnerability assessment, network segmentation, and operational technology cybersecurity architecture review. Requirements have been strengthened following the Colonial Pipeline attack.
View ServicesWhy Organizations Choose garrisonOne
- OT/IT Security Expertise: We understand the specific challenges at the intersection of OT and IT: most cybersecurity firms lack OT expertise.
- NERC CIP Compliance Knowledge: We guide utilities through NERC CIP: one of the most complex compliance frameworks in any sector.
- Nation-State Threat Awareness: Energy sector adversaries include sophisticated nation-state actors. We incorporate energy-specific threat intelligence.
- OT Monitoring Tool Expertise: We deploy OT-native monitoring tools that understand industrial protocols: not repurposed IT SIEM tools.
- Operational Continuity Priority: Security recommendations account for operational continuity. We never recommend controls that introduce operational risk.
- Rapid Regulatory Response Support: Energy sector regulatory timelines: 72-hour NERC CIP reporting: require prepared response capabilities. We build them.
Case Study: Security Assessment
Security Assessment & Remediation: From Gaps to Compliance
garrisonOne completed a full security assessment identifying critical gaps, built a prioritized remediation roadmap, and provided implementation support. All critical findings were closed within 60 days with compliance documentation delivered.
Read the Full Case Study100%Critical Gaps
Closed
60Days Full
Remediation
0Repeat Audit
Findings
Our OT environment had never been formally assessed. garrisonOne understood our industrial systems, assessed both IT and OT boundaries, and gave us a roadmap we could actually execute. The NERC CIP audit went smoothly because our documentation was already in order.
Related Services: Penetration Testing | Compliance Services | Identity & Access Management | Managed SOC | Cloud Security | All Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most significant cyber threats to energy infrastructure?
Nation-state actors targeting OT for espionage and pre-positioning (VOLT TYPHOON, SANDWORM); ransomware targeting IT with OT spillover; supply chain attacks against ICS vendors; and insider threats with OT access. The 2021 Colonial Pipeline attack demonstrated how IT ransomware can force OT shutdowns.
What are NERC CIP standards?
NERC CIP are mandatory cybersecurity requirements for entities owning or operating bulk electric system assets. Standards cover electronic security perimeters, physical security, systems security management, incident response, recovery plans, and supply chain risk management for BES Cyber Systems.
How is OT security different from IT security?
OT systems prioritize availability and reliability: an ICS taken offline for patching creates operational risk. OT devices often have no patch capability, run legacy operating systems, use proprietary protocols, and cannot tolerate active scanning used in IT security assessments.
What is an IT/OT DMZ?
An IT/OT DMZ is a network zone between corporate IT and OT networks, providing controlled connectivity without direct IT-to-OT communication. Data historians, engineering workstations, and remote access jump servers are typically placed in the DMZ.
Does my utility need NERC CIP compliance?
NERC CIP applies to registered entities owning or operating High or Medium impact BES Cyber Systems. If your organization is NERC-registered as an electric utility, transmission operator, or generation operator, NERC CIP compliance is mandatory.
How should energy companies prepare for an OT cyberattack?
Preparation requires: network segmentation limiting blast radius; offline backups of OT configurations; documented procedures for manual operations if automated systems are unavailable; OT-specific IR playbooks that account for operational continuity; and regular tabletop exercises including OT staff.
What is CIRCIA and does it apply to energy companies?
CIRCIA requires critical infrastructure entities: including energy: to report covered cyber incidents to CISA within 72 hours and ransomware payments within 24 hours. Final rules will specify covered entities and incident types. Energy sector operators should prepare reporting procedures now.
Can a security assessment be conducted without disrupting operations?
Yes. OT security assessments use passive and non-intrusive techniques appropriate for live production environments. We do not use active scanning that could disrupt industrial systems. Assessment techniques are coordinated with your OT team to ensure no operational impact.
Resources
Company
Contact
- US: 4752 Euclid Rd Suite 11,
Virginia Beach, VA 23462 - India: Orchard Street, Sector 61,
Gurgaon, Haryana - Phone: (301) 825-5518
- info@garrisonone.com
