Many Utilities Believe Cyberattacks Could Bring Down Electric Distribution Grid in Next Five Years

According to a global survey by Accenture, almost two-thirds (63 percent) of utility executives believe their country faces at least a moderate risk of electricity supply interruption from a cyberattack on electric distribution grids in the next five years.

This figure, included in Accenture’s new report, Outsmarting Grid Security Threats, part of the Digitally Enabled Grid research program, rises to 66 percent for Asia Pacific utilities executives.

The survey of more than 100 utilities executives from over 20 countries revealed interruptions to the power supply from cyberattacks is the most serious concern, cited by 57 percent of global respondents. Just as worrying is the physical threat to the distribution grid.

Fifty-three percent of global executives cite employee and/or customer safety and 43 percent cite the destruction of physical assets as their biggest concerns.