Securely Integrating Emerging Technologies

The energy sector is seeing emerging technologies with shorter lifespans than the decades-long lifespan of typical electrical infrastructure. This rapidly changing landscape affects all engineering disciplines responsible for critical infrastructure plus the associated technology, impacting both physical and cybersecurity practices. The energy sector needs tools to identify and define emerging technologies, explore the various applications and use cases supported by those technologies, and assess the impact these emerging technologies may have on cybersecurity. A generalized framework for emerging technology assessment is needed that can be applied at all levels of industry (e.g., engineering, security, industry forums, and regulatory entities).