What is cybersecurity?
Understanding cybersecurity, its processes, and its importance
Simply put, cybersecurity is the state of being protected against the criminal or unauthorised use of electronic data, or the measures taken to achieve this protection. The cybersecurity process involves a series of well-defined measures and best practices designed to protect digital assets from potential threats. It encompasses a wide range of strategies, technologies, and actions that work together to create a secure environment for individuals, organisations and governments alike.
There are several cybersecurity services that cater to the various levels of protection and mitigation of risks associated with cyberthreats. These services aim to identify vulnerabilities, detect potential security breaches and respond to incidents swiftly and effectively though risk assessment, vulnerability scanning, security audits, incident detection & response and continuous monitoring.There are several cybersecurity services that cater to the various levels of protection and mitigation of risks associated with cyberthreats. These services aim to identify vulnerabilities, detect potential security breaches and respond to incidents swiftly and effectively though risk assessment, vulnerability scanning, security audits, incident detection & response and continuous monitoring.
Cyberattacks and business risks
The incorporation of smart grids, smart devices and Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) is driving digital transformation of the energy sector. While these technologies offer many benefits, they also provide a gateway into a digitised energy sector, making it vulnerable to potential cyber-threats that could disrupt and even compromise operations.
Awareness on the challenges and potential risks is key. Aside from the obvious financial damage hackers could cause by seeking hefty compensation, operational disruption on critical infrastructure such as the electric grid could result in entire communities or industrial production to lose power suddenly and for a potentially dangerous amount of time.
Private operators and governments share equal responsibility in boosting cybersecurity efforts to protect critical energy infrastructure from hackers by staying ahead of regulatory requirements and actively prioritising cybersecurity as one of their top risks. Failure to do so risks damaging trust with customers, businesses, industries and governments, with dire consequences for national security and citizens.
Take the next steps with GHD Digital
At GHD Digital, an integral part of the GHD Group with over 90 years of technical expertise in building and protecting infrastructure at national and global levels, we stand ready to assist you in addressing your cybersecurity challenges strategically. With a focus on cybersecurity expertise, we offer bespoke strategies to assess, protect and manage cyber-risks specific to your business. Additionally, we bring an ecosystem of specialised technology partners to proactively embed cybersecurity by design, ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure. By collaborating with GHD Digital, you can strengthen your cyber defences and safeguard your operations against evolving threats, ensuring a resilient and secure future.
At GHD, we offer solutions that ensure the safety of infrastructure. Below are examples of our digital practices:
Articles referenced
Herrmann, Dominik and Pridöhl, Henning 2020, The ethics of cybersecurity, retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/22489/1007696.pdf?sequence=1#page=27
IBM n.d., ‘What is cybersecurity?’ retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://www.ibm.com/topics/cybersecurity