A new report has revealed the main cyber security threats for offshore firms.
An international DNV GL survey of 1,100 business professionals found that, although companies are actively managing their information security, just over half (58%) have adopted an ad hoc management strategy, with only 27% setting concrete goals.
“Headline cyber security incidents are rare, but a lot of lesser attacks go undetected or unreported as many organisations do not know that someone has broken into their systems.
“The first line of attack is often the office environment of an oil and gas company, working through to the production network and process control and safety systems,” says Petter Myrvang, head of the security and information risk section, DNV GL – Oil & Gas.
While the study focused on operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the issues are equally applicable to oil and gas operations anywhere in the world.
The top ten cyber security vulnerabilities are: Lack of cyber security awareness and training among employees; remote work during operations and maintenance; using standard IT products with known vulnerabilities in the production environment; a limited cyber security culture among vendors, suppliers and contractors; insufficient separation of data networks; the use of mobile devices and storage units including smartphones; data networks between on and offshore facilities; insufficient physical security of data rooms,cabinets; vulnerable software; outdated and ageing control systems in facilities.
DNV GL believes cyber security vulnerabilities can be addressed through a risk-based approach, using the bow-tie model familiar in safety barrier management.
This allows companies to identify the threats to – and vulnerabilities of – assets and operations and plan barriers to prevent incidents and mitigate the consequences of cyber risks including procedures to maintain the barrier quality documented in performance standards.
“As all oil and gas process plants are now connected to the Internet in some way, protecting vital digital infrastructure against cyber-attacks also ensures safe operations and optimal production regularity,” says Trond Winther, head of the operations department, DNV GL Oil and Gas.
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