DNV stresses on strategising to build infrastructure resilience

Infrastructure resilience needs to be the driving strategy to support the rapidly advancing energy sector, finds DNV in its new position paper, ‘From concern to control’

The paper has proposed a new Resilience Framework that requires a shift of mindset from compliance exercise to a strategic priority. It takes a systems-wide look to generate a risk-based blueprint to address vulnerabilities, and take action towards preparedness and recovery. Such risk mitigation development can only be achieved through an integrated approach that includes everything from infrastructure and supply chains to economies and societies. 

Factors such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, growing digitalisation, AI and supply chain dependencies have created new and interconnected risks, which are very different from challenges companies were used to dealing with just a decade ago.

The framework sets out a four-step cycle: analyse risks, prioritise investments, implement measures and check and validate. It applies this continuous cycle across five dimensions - organisation, people, physical assets, IT and cyber, and supply chain - and is intended to help stakeholders embed a resilience mindset into core investment planning and to align on risk assessment, prepare for shocks, defend systems in real time, and recover safely after an incident.

Ditlev Engel, CEO, Energy Systems, at DNV said, “As a sector, we must treat resilience as fundamental to everyday operations. Quite simply, it is a strategic and societal necessity as it protects our ability to provide energy that is reliable, affordable and sustainable. Without integrating security into core investment planning, organizations run the risk of suffering attacks that could impact the grid and other vital infrastructure and disrupt economic and societal stability.
“What we want to do is turn vulnerabilities into areas in which companies can have real confidence. Whether it is the public or private sectors, resilience must be embedded in every step of the energy value chain, or we risk accidents or attacks that could have serious consequences.”

The report details several examples of attacks by malicious actors on infrastructure, including opportunistic cyber-attacks, damaging of subsea gas pipelines and LNG terminals and tankers being targeted by missiles. Evolving policy and extreme weather events have also had indirect impact on the reliability of energy systems.

Derek Riezebos, defence & security manager for Northern Europe, Energy Systems at DNV, said, “Risk and threats are constants in the energy sector, and few organizations can have complete visibility of their vulnerabilities. But understanding critical dependencies, reducing single points of failure and maintaining response, restart and recovery plans can help organizations move from concern to control.
Recent prolonged blackouts have demonstrated the cascading impact on transport, communications, hospitals and other critical services. Around the world, businesses and governments have a responsibility to ensure that energy systems are resilient and prepared for the worst. Threats to infrastructure are evolving faster than many organizations can adapt, making it increasingly important to ensure safeguards are at a sufficient standard to limit their impact.”