Protecting the utilities sector from supply chain threats.
The UK’s utilities sector is facing growing threats from cybercriminals. From electricity to water and gas, these essential services are a critical aspect of modern society, meaning a successful cyberattack could have far-reaching consequences for national infrastructure, public safety and even economic stability.
The sector’s dependence on a vast, interconnected supply chains, ageing infrastructure and operational technology (OT) systems make it particularly vulnerable. As cybercriminals increasingly seek to create widespread disruption, securing utility supply chains must become a top priority to prevent against potentially catastrophic attacks.
A prime target
Attacks on critical national infrastructure are nothing new. On a global scale for example, the US Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack disrupted fuel supplies, highlighting the importance of supply chain cybersecurity.
This proves the utilities sector is the ideal target for cybercriminals seeking to cause maximum disruption. Beyond operational downtime and financial loss, such attacks can endanger lives, cripple essential services and even impact national security.
The supply chain weak link
What makes the utilities sector particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats is its reliance on interconnected networks of third-party suppliers. From technology
vendors to logistics and maintenance firms, external organizations are integral to day-to-day operations yet often lack the same cybersecurity standards of the utility providers they serve.
Smaller suppliers are especially a risk. Without the resources for enterprise-grade defenses, they’re often the entry point for attackers looking to infiltrate larger organizations. Once inside, threat actors can escalate privileges, move laterally across networks and remain undetected for extended periods, causing maximum disruption with minimal effort.
Getting the fundamentals right
Addressing supply chain risk in the utilities sector requires a proactive, layered approach. The first step is understanding where your risks lie. This begins with a comprehensive audit of existing infrastructure, including all connected third parties. It’s vital to assess not only digital assets but also OT systems which are often overlooked despite their importance.
Next, organizations must invest in endpoint protection. As remote monitoring, smart meters and mobile devices become more popular, securing access points is crucial. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools use AI and analytics to detect and flag suspicious activity before damage can be done.
Yet, even with these innovative tools in place, visibility remains a challenge. Utility providers often lack a clear end-to-end view of their supply chains, making working with trusted partners essential to detecting vulnerabilities and closing security gaps.
The case for supply chain passports
One innovative solution gaining support is the concept of supply chain passports. A digital credential that verifies a supplier’s cybersecurity posture, passports will include key indicators (such as compliance with recognized standards, historical breach data and the results of recent security audits) so companies can better understand the organizations they partner with.
When implemented at scale, supply chain passports establish shared accountability, reduce onboarding friction and can identify weak links. Alongside this, passports can evolve dynamically as threats change which allows for a real-time, risk-based approach to supply chain security.
A shared responsibility
Ultimately, securing supply chains across the industry isn’t the responsibility of one organization. It’s a shared challenge that requires collaboration between industry, government and the wider cybersecurity community. Regulators are already moving in the right direction, for example the UK’s updated Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations which will introduce stricter incident reporting requirements.
All this means utility providers must act now. With digital transformation in the sector unavoidable, cybersecurity must be built into everything, not an afterthought. By addressing supply chain cybersecurity head-on, utility providers can not only protect themselves and their customers but also create a foundation for future innovation built on trust, transparency, and security.
Supply chain security is frontline defense. As threats continue to grow, the organizations which act now will not only safeguard critical infrastructure but set the standard for a more secure, resilient digital economy.
Doug McGeachie
Doug McGeachie is Director, Enterprise Sales at Fortinet, a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Its mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today it delivers cybersecurity everywhere its customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry.