FBI warns of increased cyber threats to expanding US renewable energy sector
JULY 02, 2024
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published Monday a Private Industry Notification (PIN) emphasizing how malicious cyber actors may seek to disrupt power-generating operations, steal intellectual property, or ransom information critical for normal functionality to advance geopolitical motives or financial gain within the U.S. renewable energy industry. With federal and local legislature advocating for renewable energies, the industry will expand to keep pace, providing more opportunities and targets for malicious cyber actors. The agency further cautions that threats are likely to specifically target the operational technology (OT) software and hardware systems.
“Structural shifts in the reduced cost of implementation of renewable energy and incentives for development of clean energy have created new targets and opportunities for cyber threat actors to disrupt and exploit for their own gain,” the FBI outlined in its document.
