Cyberattacks against battery energy storage systems expected to grow

Cybersecurity Dive reports that cybersecurity threats against utility-scale battery energy storage systems have been escalating amid increasing adoption. While mounting data center demand is expected to increase BESS deployments between 20% and 45% in the next half-decade, cybersecurity safeguards in the sector remain inadequate, according to a Brattle Group and Dragos white paper, which recommended prompt cybersecurity improvements. Nearly 18 threat groups were reported by Dragos to have been targeting the electrical grid. Among them was Chinese state-sponsored hacking operation Volt Typhoon, also known as Voltzyte, which has shown an ability to covertly compromise critical infrastructure through living-off-the-land attack techniques. "Battery storage systems are being used across the grid to enable the deployment of variable demand sources such as solar and wind. This growing dependence makes them an attractive target," said Dragos Field Chief Technology Officer Phil Tonkin.