Cyber-Attacks a Huge Concern for the Energy Sector

Ludolf Luehmann, an IT manager for Shell, warned the industry of the devastating effects that cyber-attacks could have on the energy sector at the 2011 World Petroleum Conference in Doha.

Luehmann says that Shell has experienced an increased number of attacks this year; motivated by both commercial and criminal intent. The industry, especially the oil industry is experiencing attacks that could manipulate equipment and cost lives.

In the summer of 2010 the industry experienced Stuxnet, a targeted “worm” designed to manipulate machinery, including the opening and closing of valves. Worms like this can be very dangerous to human life, the environment and business.

Following the Deepwater Horizon spill, BP became the target of many cyber-attacks but company policy won’t permit them to speak in detail about the attacks.

Hackers are attacking more often and are putting more thought into the way they attack. Nearly all of the world’s energy production is controlled and monitored by computers and industry leaders fear that cyber-attacks could potentially put this fuel technology in the wrong hands.