Legacy systems meet digital demands
For decades, energy systems operated safely behind physical barriers – fences, guards, and air-gapped networks. Today, internet connectivity enables system optimisation, predictive maintenance, and vastly increased operational efficiency. However, each connection may introduce vulnerabilities these legacy systems were originally not designed to handle.
The transition to renewable energy intensifies these challenges. Existing infrastructure must accommodate distributed generation, two-way grid communication, and smart technologies. And yet absolute reliability and ultimate physical safety are a must. Meanwhile, energy operators face an overwhelming number of security alerts and specialist staff shortages. And cybersecurity solution providers often lack the sector-specific knowledge to develop appropriate solutions, or aim for ‘one size fits all’ approaches that don’t suit the energy sector’s specific needs.
A sector-first approach
TNO recognises that energy companies cannot adopt the ‘move fast and break things’ mentality that IT innovation often brings. After all, lives depend on grid stability and the physical safety of assets. That is why the energy sector faces higher barriers to achieving cybersecurity automation, and why enabling human oversight for every decision is essential.
To address these concerns, TNO cybersecurity experts work closely with colleagues in the Energy and Material Transitions and Digital Systems teams. We utilise our multidisciplinary expertise that spans energy physics, sector-specific knowledge, economic models, regulatory frameworks, and cybersecurity technologies. Our balanced approach to solutions ensures that they not only work technologically but also work for the culture of the energy sector.
TNO is also an independent orchestrator. We bring together grid operators, equipment manufacturers, and regulatory bodies to develop solutions that serve collective interests, not commercial agendas. Our approach transforms cybersecurity from a compliance burden into operational excellence.
