Mark Edgeworth, CEO at Hicomply
Smarter grids, cleaner tech, AI-fuelled optimisation, rapid innovation and tech adoption in the energy sector are changing how we generate, distribute and manage power. But while the sector is charging towards net zero, its cyber defences are still playing catch-up.
Every innovation creates a new attack surface. Every integration opens the door to compromise. And in an environment already destabilised by war, espionage and state-sponsored sabotage, that’s a risk the UK can’t afford.
Critical infrastructure, critical exposure
Cyber threats to energy infrastructure are no longer just hypothetical. The onset and continuation of the war in Ukraine and the global repercussions have made that incredibly clear. From successful attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid to attempted breaches at European utilities, it’s now clear that energy and critical infrastructure is a frontline target.
These aren’t just the work of state-backed hackers. Ransomware gangs, criminal networks, and hacktivist groups also view the energy sector as a high-value prize. In 2024 alone, several energy providers across Germany and the Nordic region reported attempted cyber intrusions linked to both political and financial motives.
For the UK, playing a key role in Europe’s shift to low-carbon and decentralised energy, the risks are only becoming more urgent.
Enter CAF: From compliance to command centre
The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), developed by the NCSC, isn’t a bureaucratic tick-box exercise. It’s fast becoming the operating manual for cyber resilience in critical infrastructure.
CAF doesn’t just help organisations meet the UK’s NIS Regulations. It forces a wider reckoning with real-world exposure. Four pillars – risk management, protection, detection, and minimisation – form a blueprint for understanding where the weaknesses lie, how bad the fallout could be, and what needs to happen next.
Whether it’s outdated equipment, sprawling supply chains, or skills shortages, CAF brings order to chaos, giving boards and CISOs a common language to address cyber risk before it becomes cyber failure.
Strategic defence, not cyber theatre
CAF works because it’s brutally practical. It helps you identify weak points, benchmark maturity, and focus limited investment on the areas that matter most. No fluff, and no false comfort.
That’s why Hicomply and Waterstons developed a 14-question CAF barometer, a straight-talking tool designed to show energy organisations where they stand and where they’re exposed.
Security threats won’t pause, and our response can’t either.
No more “nice to have”
Every new vendor, every new grid connection, every integration tool adds another layer of complexity and another potential point of failure.
Energy resilience isn’t just about keeping the lights on anymore. It’s about defending the data, systems and infrastructure that underpin everything from homes to hospitals to heavy industry.
UK energy providers have a real opportunity to lead the way globally in cyber resilience. The momentum is there. Now it’s time to match it with resilience.