Prepare and distribute factsheets, reports and papers with the aim to explain and explorer complex and emerging cybersecurity topic of interest for the energy community, as well as to provide the position of regulators in respect to the adoption of such principles and technologiesģ. This task force (and CEER training courses) help ongoing capacity building with the aim to prevent, detect, respond, and recover from cyberattacks Outputs include shared resources, reports and recommendations Such collaboration covers issues such cybersecurity preparedness, response, recovery planning, and regulatory approaches to drive prudent risk reduction effort Since 2015, ACER and the national energy regulators cooperate and share information in a dedicated cybersecurity task force co-chaired by ACER and CEER: Sharing information among energy regulators and capacity building
#Acer energy management code#
In 2021, at the request of the European Commission, ACER is developing Framework Guidelines (under the Electricity Regulation) which will help shape a legally binding EU-wide Cybersecurity Network Code for Cross-Border Electricity.ĪCER and regulators are actively engaged in European Commission Expert Groups.Ģ. ACER contributes to strengthening the cybersecurity of Europe's energy system in three main ways:ĪCER and national regulators provide expert advice on EU legislation and cyber rules relating to the energy sector. How does ACER contribute to cybersecurity? The very interconnectedness of assets across the energy system, if not cyber secure, makes them vulnerable to threats. With heightened cyber threats, increasingly digitalised critical energy infrastructure is vulnerable to attacks. For electricity systems, the threat of cyberattack is substantial and growing. In Ukraine, 225,000 people lost power in a cyberattack in 2015 on the electricity grid infrastructure. How realistic are cyber threats in energy?Ĭyber threats in energy are very real and cyber incidents increase in frequency and in their impact. A cyberattack or a cyberincident in one country can affect the EU energy digitalised system in more than a single geographical area, also causing cascade effects.Ĭybersecurity is so critical in energy that Europe's legislators have adopted a sector-specific approach to reinforce cyber security in electricity which applies in addition to the general cyber laws. The harmful effects of cyber incidents and attacks can be widespread on individuals, organisations and communities. Energy supply powers industry and is essential to our daily lives (home, work, movement and entertainment). A reliable energy system is the backbone of the economy. causing electricity blackouts or causing damages to existing infrastructure. Cyber incidents and attacks can disrupt energy related essential services e.g.