Cyberattacks on US Utilities Surge 70% in 2024
The surge in cyberattacks underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and collaboration among stakeholders to protect critical infrastructure.

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This alarming trend highlights the growing threat facing critical infrastructure as the power grid rapidly expands to meet increasing electricity demand.
Utilities Remain Vulnerable Targets
Many utilities continue to use outdated software, making them easy targets for cyberattacks. The utilities sector relies heavily on IoT and ICS (Internet of Things and Incident Command System) technologies, which often lack the advanced cybersecurity measures found in software used by major tech companies.
While no U.S. utility has been crippled by attacks so far, experts warn that a well-coordinated attempt could have devastating consequences, disrupting essential services and causing substantial financial losses. The average cost of a data breach in the energy sector reached a global high of $4.72 million in 2022, according to an IBM report.
Expanding Grid Creates More Vulnerabilities
The expansion of the power grid, including interconnections to new customers like data centres, is creating more potential points of attack. NERC, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, reported that the number of susceptible points on the U.S. electrical networks has been increasing by about 60 per day earlier this year.
Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Attacks
Historically, election years have fuelled heightened malicious cyber activity. With the upcoming U.S. election, a surge in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, including utilities, energy grids, and communication networks, is expected.
Nation-state actors are actively seeking to disable U.S. critical infrastructure. These groups have been infiltrating rivals’ infrastructure for years, planting malware that could be triggered to disrupt basic services.
Source: Reuters