Why this matters now

Renewable generation has moved from pilot projects to core capacity, and the shift to widely dispersed, remotely managed assets expands the cyber-attack surface for utilities. A resilient posture now hinges on redundant connectivity, secure-by-design control software, and practices that respect the realities of operational technology (OT) as it converges with information technology (IT).

• Renewable fleets are scaling fast, increasing exposure across remote sites.
• Redundant communications and secure remote access are essential to maintain visibility and control.
• Secure-by-design solutions and OT-aware partnerships align cybersecurity with standards and uptime needs.

How is renewable expansion changing utilities’ cybersecurity risk?

Utilities are rapidly integrating solar, wind, and other renewable assets, many of which are monitored and controlled remotely. This evolution raises the stakes: more endpoints, more networks, and more exposure. Drawing on over a decade of renewable experience, Nicholas Janouskovec underscores that utilities are increasingly targeted, making cybersecurity central to any capacity-expansion plan in a recent article in Control Engineering.

“Utilities are increasingly becoming targets for cyber-attacks, so a strong cybersecurity posture must be a central part of any plan to add generation capacity.”

Nicholas notes relevant standards, including the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s Critical Infrastructure Protection CIP-015-1, in contexts where systems have external, routable communication—conditions common to remote sites.

Takeaway: Renewable growth widens exposure, and standards awareness is part of credible, defensible strategy.

How can utilities maintain visibility when remote OT links fail?

A site cannot be secure if operators lose visibility. If a connection from IT to a remote OT location drops, teams risk operating blind. Utilities should plan for redundant communications, including both redundant equipment and an alternative networking path, so a single device failure or attack does not disrupt monitoring. They should also prioritize control technologies designed for secure, redundant remote access.

Control systems such as Emerson’s Ovation™ Green SCADA are built with redundancy in mind, supporting secure remote access paths distinct from typical network routes—reinforcing resilience without sacrificing visibility.

Takeaway: Redundancy (IT equipment + alternate path) plus secure remote access preserves control and situational awareness.

What makes “secure-by-design” essential for distributed renewable assets?

Remote sites introduce physical and cyber constraints, so utilities benefit from software that is secure by design. That begins with design aligned to IEC 62443 and extends to layered defenses that add protection without undermining performance. Emerson’s Power and Water Cybersecurity Suite—a platform-independent, ICS cybersecurity solution that helps DCS and SCADA system users secure their critical assets without process disruption and meet NERC CIP regulations— illustrates this layered approach — fit-for-purpose cybersecurity suited added alongside the automation software to enhance security while maintaining reliability.

Takeaway: Start with standards-aligned design, then layer fit-for-purpose software that respects operational reliability.

Why can traditional IT security practices disrupt OT control systems?

OT environments often require different handling than enterprise IT. For example, cloud-pushed updates may keep IT defenses current, but unvalidated updates can inadvertently conflict with control systems and cause outages. Utilities should pair thorough testing and tuning with the help of an expert automation partner to ensure cybersecurity changes align with OT performance and safety requirements.

Takeaway: Validate and tune changes with OT expertise; what’s routine for IT can be risky for control systems.

What foundations set teams up for cybersecure renewable growth?

Even utilities not yet subject to specific regulations should plan ahead as fleets grow. Building programs on cybersecure architecture — redundant communications, secure-by-design control software, OT-aware governance, and standards-ready practices — positions organizations for reliable operations over decades.