Navigating cyber threats in the energy sector: Insights from Gas, electricity & the European Commission

October 19, 2023

Workshop jointly organised by GIE, ENTSOG, EASEE-Gas

Download the presentations.

From data exchange to cyber resilience, this third edition gathered experts from the European Commission, ENISA (EU Agency for Cybersecurity), Gas, Electricity, and technology providers for a two-day workshop. Organised in GIE and ENTSOG offices, at the heart of the Brussels EU quarter, participants could assess the challenges related to Data exchange and cybersecurity while raising awareness of the threats and solutions.

The discussions unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Brussels and worldwide. The ongoing geopolitical challenges underscore the pressing need to bolster the security of Europe’s energy infrastructure. Throughout the event, experts from across Europe engaged in critical discussions on the resurgence of cyberattacks and the growing imperative for secure data exchange, all in the service of safeguarding Europe’s energy system.

Hendrik Pollex, ENSTOG Director, System Operation: “These valuable stakeholder exchanges, with insights from relevant experts, present an opportunity to bolster our resilience and energy security and strengthen the synergies between the gas and electricity sectors. In essence, the workshop demonstrated that the path to digitalisation and integration goes hand in hand with cybersecurity and seamless data exchange facilitated in the gas sector by the application of ENTSOG’s operation tools.”

Boyana Achovski, GIE Secretary General, support the joint initiative: “In these tumultuous times, with geopolitical tensions and the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats, vigilance is paramount. It is imperative for the gas and electricity sectors, in collaboration with the European Commission, to work closely to achieve optimal results. Gas infrastructure will keep facilitating the cooperation among gas, electricity,  industry stakeholders and policymakers in order to fortifying Europe’s resilience.”

Key Highlights:

In-Depth Threat Landscape Analysis:
The event featured an in-depth analysis of the current threat landscape in the energy sector. Experts provided valuable insights into the challenges and risks faced by the industry.

Geopolitical Context:
Digital technologies in the energy sector remain a pivotal source of geopolitical power, as it could be witnessed over the past months via the extreme pressure inflicted on the energy infrastructure worldwide. Topics such as the threats by hacktivist organisations or incidents like the interconnector between Finland and Estonia were explored by different experts, enabling the audience to zoom in on the technical dimensions and discuss the solutions for prevention.

The Growing Significance of AI in Cybersecurity:
The workshop underlined the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. Participants discussed how AI technologies are becoming a game-changer in cybersecurity, both as defenders and attackers. Their capacity to analyse enormous amounts of data quickly, without human oversight, makes them ideal for identifying suspicious activity and defending against advanced threats.

Evolution Through Time:
Attendees delved into the historical evolution of data exchange and cybersecurity in the energy sector, recognising the advancements and shifts over the years. The timeframe underlined the exponential acceleration of improvement of the technologies and the difficulties for policies to catch up.

Meet the Speakers:

The workshop witnessed a diverse array of participants and presenters, including high-level experts from organisations such as:

• Balkantel Ltd. | Orlin Rachev
• EC | Bogdan  Dumitriu
• EDA | Ioannis Chatzialexandris
• EDSO | Olivier Clement
• ENCS | Maarten Hoeve
• ENISA  | Alexandros Zacharis
• ENISA | Georgia Bafoutsou
• ENISA | Konstantinos Moulinos
• ENTSO-E  | Ivan Stefek
• ENTSOG | Anton Kolisnyk
• ENTSOG | Douglas Hill
• ENTSOG | Hendrik Pollex
• ENTSOG | Pim van der Eijk
• Equinor | Jarle Ronnevik
• F24 | Alessandro Lazari
• Fluxys Belgium | Dirk Serruys
• Gasunie |  Onno Wesselink
• GIE | David Defour
• ICI | Alexandru Georgescu
• N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie | Wim de Olde
• Navitasoft | Christoph Malzer
• snam | Lucrezia Tunesi
• Ukraine TSO | Andrii Prokofev
• VNG Handel & Vertrieb GmbH | Oliver Schirok

About GIE, ENTSOG & EASEE-Gas:

ENTSOG (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas), EASEE-Gas (European Association for the Streamlining of Energy Exchange), and GIE (Gas Infrastructure Europe) are leading organizations in the energy sector, committed to facilitating secure, efficient, and sustainable energy exchange across Europe. These organizations work collaboratively to enhance the safety and reliability of energy infrastructure through innovative approaches, knowledge sharing, and industry-wide cooperation.

Note to editors

Who is GIE?

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators active in gas transmission, gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking. GIE currently represents 70 member companies from 26 countries. GIE’s vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.