Que: Power grids are now considered one of the top targets for cyber adversaries. Why they are so vulnerable compared to other critical infrastructure?

Ans: The modern power grids are faced with unique cybersecurity issues due to the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems, mass digitalisation, and an increasingly interconnected world. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart meters, automation systems, and remote monitoring significantly increases the attack surface, thus offering more avenues of entry than most other areas of critical infrastructure. Much of India's grid is still based on legacy hardware and software that were initially not intended to include cybersecurity, thus making patching and upgrading more difficult. In addition, third-party dependence, remote access, and cloud computing add further exposures to the supply chain.

A successful cyberattack against the grid can have ripple effects, from prolonged blackouts to disruptions in manufacturing and transportation, undermining national security and public safety. Given the scale of potential impact, power grids remain attractive targets for cyber attackers and other malicious actors. Insufficient downtime tolerance, lack of visibility, and lack of adequate cybersecurity staff increase the risk, and poor monitoring and access controls can leave public utilities vulnerable to insider threats.

Que: What role does AI play in securing modern power grids? How effective is anomaly detection in pre-empting threats before they escalate?

Ans: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being considered as an enabler for power grid protection in the form of monitoring, detection, and prediction functionalities. AI-based detection will monitor grid telemetry in real time and detect voltage, frequency, or load pattern anomalies indicative of malicious activity. Predictive analytics can also detect cyber-induced equipment stress before it happens in system failure, while the creation of behavioural baselines allows security teams to detect zero-day threats via the detection of deviations from normal user or device behaviour.

Trained on operation and cyber data, artificial intelligence models can easily achieve high accuracy in early detection of threats. However, human attention is still required in reducing false positives. Apart from detection, AI can aid in situational awareness by prioritising alarms, correlating events on geographically separated assets, and suggesting mitigation steps, thus facilitating faster and coordinated security response.

Que: How should government agencies and energy providers collaborate to create a shared, actionable threat intelligence ecosystem?

Ans: A resilient power grid depends on a strong, trust-based threat intelligence network among government and energy entities. It starts with organised, timely sharing of threat indicators, attack signatures, and response protocols through secure, centralised platforms. Parallel cyber exercises, crisis simulation exercises, and sector-specific training sessions need to be offered to build operational trust, improve communication channels, and practice coordinated response plans.

Leaning on international best practices, India can institute government-funded platforms such as the United States' Energy Threat Analysis Center (ETAC), where regulators and utilities share real-time actionable norms of cybersecurity, with guidelines for reporting incidents, data classification, and sharing information between sectors.

Que: Are there examples of successful public-private partnerships, domestic or global, that India can learn from in building grid resilience?

Ans: In the USA, the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) is used to share intelligence, in real-time, between utility companies and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The World Economic Forum's Electricity Initiative brings together global utility leaders in the sharing of best practices, co-operation during cyber exercises, and influencing security standards across borders.

In the United Kingdom, the well-established Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP), operated by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), is the mechanism for real-time public-private sector intelligence sharing. With over 17,000 registered users across primary sectors, such as the energy sector, CiSP enables collective mitigation action and enhances the nation's critical infrastructure's situational awareness of threats in real-time.

Singapore's Cyber Security Agency (CSA) runs the National Cybersecurity Exercise that involves realistic simulations of power grid scenarios. Estonia's Cyber Defence Unit, in contrast, collaborates with civilian IT specialists who work with government units to defend critical infrastructure.

These models highlight the need for continued collaboration, mutual understanding, and mutual incident management to create cyber resilience.

Que: What are the top three priorities India must focus on to future-proof its power infrastructure against cyber threats?

Ans: The establishment of CSIRT-Power and sectoral CERTs reflects a proactive approach in institutionalising cybersecurity governance. India needs to work on establishing an end-to-end threat intelligence infrastructure that allows real-time sharing of actionable threat data among all grid operators, government agencies, and major vendors. Along with this, adoption of a security-by-design approach, coupled with rigorous enforcement of compliance across all phases, procurement to deployment will make sure that all equipment, processes, and personnel adhere to established cybersecurity standards.
All of this has to be achieved through periodic audits, device hardening, and ongoing training on skills along the value chain.

Finally, workforce development must be a primary support column. Developing a cyber-savvy talent pool within the utilities, augmented by periodic combined exercises and constant coordination among government agencies, vendors, and private utilities, will enhance readiness and resilience to evolving threats.

Que: In your view, what does a ‘cyber-resilient grid’ truly look like in 2030, and how do we get there?

Ans: A cyber-resilient 2030 power system will consist of cutting-edge technology, effective governance, and inter-sector collaboration. AI/ML-driven monitoring will facilitate real-time threat detection with instant automated response. Renewable energy, smart grids, and distributed energy resources will be integrated securely with standard controls to support interoperability without any compromise in safety.

A national threat intelligence network could provide actionable, real-time intelligence to all stakeholders with clear regulatory responsibility across both the private and public sectors. Periodic and realistic cyber exercises can help measure recovery and incident response capacity, supporting efforts to minimise operational impact in the event of a successful attack. This vision is attainable through sustained investment, public–private collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to proactive, intelligence-led defense.