Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and Implications

Digital transformation in energy sector organizations has huge benefits but also exposes them to cybersecurity challenges. In this paper, we carried out a systematic literature review on cybersecurity challenges and issues in the energy domain. Energy-associated assets are very critical for any nati...

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Main Authors: Saqib Saeed, Hina Gull, Muneera Mohammad Aldossary, Amal Furaih Altamimi, Mashael Saeed Alshahrani, Madeeha Saqib, Sardar Zafar Iqbal, Abdullah M. Almuhaideb
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Information
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/15/12/764
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author Saqib Saeed
Hina Gull
Muneera Mohammad Aldossary
Amal Furaih Altamimi
Mashael Saeed Alshahrani
Madeeha Saqib
Sardar Zafar Iqbal
Abdullah M. Almuhaideb
author_facet Saqib Saeed
Hina Gull
Muneera Mohammad Aldossary
Amal Furaih Altamimi
Mashael Saeed Alshahrani
Madeeha Saqib
Sardar Zafar Iqbal
Abdullah M. Almuhaideb
author_sort Saqib Saeed
collection DOAJ
description Digital transformation in energy sector organizations has huge benefits but also exposes them to cybersecurity challenges. In this paper, we carried out a systematic literature review on cybersecurity challenges and issues in the energy domain. Energy-associated assets are very critical for any nation and cyber-attacks on these critical infrastructures can result in strategic, financial, and human losses. We investigated research papers published between 2019 and 2024 and categorized our work into three domains: oil and gas sector, the electricity sector, and the nuclear energy sector. Our study highlights that there is a need for more research in this important area to improve the security of critical infrastructures in the energy sector. We have outlined research directions for the scientific community to further strengthen the body of knowledge. This work is important for researchers to identify key areas to explore as well as for policymakers in energy sector organizations to improve their security operations by understanding the associated implications of cybersecurity.
format Article
id doaj-art-dafc2b39e4184b18b1ac74c80c64dbe9
institution Kabale University
issn 2078-2489
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Information
spelling doaj-art-dafc2b39e4184b18b1ac74c80c64dbe92024-12-27T14:30:45ZengMDPI AGInformation2078-24892024-12-01151276410.3390/info15120764Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and ImplicationsSaqib Saeed0Hina Gull1Muneera Mohammad Aldossary2Amal Furaih Altamimi3Mashael Saeed Alshahrani4Madeeha Saqib5Sardar Zafar Iqbal6Abdullah M. Almuhaideb7Saudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Aramco Cybersecurity Chair, Department of Networks and Communications, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaDigital transformation in energy sector organizations has huge benefits but also exposes them to cybersecurity challenges. In this paper, we carried out a systematic literature review on cybersecurity challenges and issues in the energy domain. Energy-associated assets are very critical for any nation and cyber-attacks on these critical infrastructures can result in strategic, financial, and human losses. We investigated research papers published between 2019 and 2024 and categorized our work into three domains: oil and gas sector, the electricity sector, and the nuclear energy sector. Our study highlights that there is a need for more research in this important area to improve the security of critical infrastructures in the energy sector. We have outlined research directions for the scientific community to further strengthen the body of knowledge. This work is important for researchers to identify key areas to explore as well as for policymakers in energy sector organizations to improve their security operations by understanding the associated implications of cybersecurity.https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/15/12/764cybersecuritydigital transformationenergy sector automationrisk assessmentoperations
spellingShingle Saqib Saeed
Hina Gull
Muneera Mohammad Aldossary
Amal Furaih Altamimi
Mashael Saeed Alshahrani
Madeeha Saqib
Sardar Zafar Iqbal
Abdullah M. Almuhaideb
Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and Implications
Information
cybersecurity
digital transformation
energy sector automation
risk assessment
operations
title Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and Implications
title_full Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and Implications
title_fullStr Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and Implications
title_full_unstemmed Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and Implications
title_short Digital Transformation in Energy Sector: Cybersecurity Challenges and Implications
title_sort digital transformation in energy sector cybersecurity challenges and implications
topic cybersecurity
digital transformation
energy sector automation
risk assessment
operations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/15/12/764
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