Energies Media
  • Magazine
    • Digital Magazine
    • Digital Magazine Archive
  • Features
  • Upstream
  • Midstream
  • Downstream
  • Renewable
    • Solar
    • Wind
    • Hydrogen
    • Nuclear
  • People
  • Events
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Energies Media
No Result
View All Result

The List of Security Threats for Oil and Gas Operators

by Energies Media Staff
February 24, 2019
in Downstream, Fullstream, Midstream, News, Offshore, Oil and Gas News, Security, Upstream
Top Cyber Security Vulnerabilities in the Oil and Gas Industry
Baker Hughes

OPEC output climbs in September on stronger Saudi and UAE flows

KKR takes stake in ADNOC pipelines as Middle East assets expand

While the oil and gas industry is seen exploiting digital technologies and cost-effective concepts of operations, they are also inviting security problems. The industry’s increasing dependence on cyber structures has brought about a whole new batch of threats and vulnerabilities, and this is exactly what our agenda for this article is.

According to experts in the industry, cyber-attacks are growing exponentially in terms of sophistication and stature. Due to this, they are becoming increasingly difficult to detect – which also makes them difficult to defend against. As a result, oil and gas companies are left with losing monumental sums of money when trying to recover from a cyber attack.

How Are O&G Companies Reacting?

An international survey, which consisted of 1,100 professionals from the oil and gas industry, found that only 58 percent had implemented ad hoc management strategies. This was the case even though these companies admitted to managing their information securities actively. What’s even more surprising was that out of the 58 percent, only 27 percent were found to have concrete contingency goals in place.

One probable reason why this is the case could be because major incidents of cyberattacks in the oil and gas industry are quite rare. What these professionals don’t realize is that most cyberattacks in the industry go unreported due to PR strategies. After all, nothing ruins a business’s reputation more than admitting that it was hapless against a full-fledged cyberattack.

While this international survey focused mainly on the oil and gas operations in the Norwegian Continental Shelf, they were clear in mentioning that businesses all over the world are susceptible to cyber-attacks. They also signified how the first line of attack of cybercriminals were the office environments of oil and gas companies, followed by production networks and finally safety systems and process controls.

How do these oil and gas activities get infiltrated? The answer to this question lies in their security vulnerabilities.

The Top Cyber Security Vulnerabilities in the Oil and Gas Industry

The previously mentioned international survey found the following to be the most prominent threats to the security of oil and gas operators:

  1. Aging and outdated control systems in O&G facilities.
  2. Vulnerable types of software.
  3. Insufficient physical securities in data cabinets, rooms, and other vital areas.
  4. The use of data networks between both onshore and offshore facilities.
  5. Insufficient levels of separation between data networks.
  6. Limited inclination towards cultures of cybersecurity among contractors, suppliers, and vendors.
  7. Employing standard products in IT infrastructures that are known to cause vulnerabilities for the production environment (because they cost less).
  8. The use of remote devices during maintenance and operations.
  9. A lack of training and awareness regarding cybersecurity among O&G personnel.
  10. Using storage units and mobile devices in the production environment – including smartphones.

The only way these vulnerabilities can be addressed is via a strategic approach that revolves around risk. By doing so, O&G companies will be able to mitigate said risks while preventing costly events and barriers to production.

Author Profile
Energies Media Staff
Website
Author Articles
  • Energies Media Staff
    https://energiesmedia.com/author/oilmanwp/
    Drones
    September 8, 2025
    Revolutionizing Renewable Energy with Advanced Drone Technology
  • Energies Media Staff
    https://energiesmedia.com/author/oilmanwp/
    Global Shale Oil and Gas Landscape Set for Growth Beyond US
    August 26, 2025
    Global Shale Oil and Gas Landscape Set for Growth Beyond US
  • Energies Media Staff
    https://energiesmedia.com/author/oilmanwp/
    E-Fuels
    August 13, 2025
    2nd Annual World E-Fuels Summit
  • Energies Media Staff
    https://energiesmedia.com/author/oilmanwp/
    What Happens to Solar and Wind Systems During Natural Disasters?
    August 6, 2025
    What Happens to Solar and Wind Systems During Natural Disasters?
  • Energies Media Staff
    https://energiesmedia.com/author/oilmanwp/
    ship on body of water at night
    August 1, 2025
    Industry leaders to speak at Wood Mackenzie’s Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Conference 2025
  • Energies Media Staff
    https://energiesmedia.com/author/oilmanwp/
    ROGII and NRGX Technologies Ltd. Partner to Deliver Seamless LAS Data Integration for Upstream Workflows
    July 31, 2025
    ROGII and NRGX Technologies Ltd. Partner to Deliver Seamless LAS Data Integration for Upstream Workflows
LNG
ADIPEC

In This Issue

Energies Media Summer 2025

ENERGIES Media (Summer 2025)


U.S. Oil Refineries Face Critical Capacity Test Amid Rising Demand


Why Energy Companies Need a CX Revolution


Letter from the Managing Editor (Summer 2025)


How to Deploy Next-Gen Energy Savers Without Disrupting Operations


The Hidden Value in Waste Oil: A Sustainable Solution for the Future


Energies Media Interactive Crossword Puzzle – Summer 2025


Bringing Safety Forward in Offshore Operations


NeverNude Coveralls: A Practical Solution for Everyday Dignity


Dewey Follett Bartlett, Jr.: Tulsa’s Champion of Independents


Meeting Emergency Preparedness and Response Criteria


Moving Energy Across Space and Time


ENERGIES Cartoon (Summer 2025)


Maximizing Clean Energy Tax Credits Under the Inflation Reduction Act

IPF
ADIPEC
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© 2025 by Energies Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Magazine
    • Digital Magazine
    • Digital Magazine Archive
  • Features
  • Upstream
  • Midstream
  • Downstream
  • Renewable
    • Solar
    • Wind
    • Hydrogen
    • Nuclear
  • People
  • Events
  • Advertise

© 2025 by Energies Media