In May 2021, a single compromised password exposed a critical cybersecurity vulnerability, leading to one of the most disruptive cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure. Hackers infiltrated Colonial Pipeline’s IT systems, forcing a multi-day shutdown of the country’s largest fuel pipeline. The result was panic buying, widespread fuel shortages, rising gas prices, and cascading supply chain disruptions across the southeastern United States. The attackers didn’t damage equipment—they gained access and locked operators out.

Today, the same kind of breach could just as easily target a smart building, a factory, or a microgrid. And the damage might not be as visible. Suppose your company invests millions in cutting-edge energy-efficient systems: smart HVAC, automated lighting, and solar-powered microgrids. Then, overnight, a hacker tweaks a single setting. Your HVAC blasts at full power, your lights stay on 24/7, and your carbon footprint skyrockets. All those sustainability savings? Gone. Or worse, you might not notice until the utility bill arrives, or until your operations grind to a halt.

If cybersecurity still seems like an IT issue disconnected from climate action, it’s time to reconsider your approach to sustainability. As organizations digitize their infrastructure to reduce emissions and reach climate goals, energy systems have become high-value targets. A single cyberattack can disrupt operations and quietly unravel years of progress. Cybersecurity is no longer separate from sustainability goals—it’s the foundation that protects them.

The hidden link: Connected gains = connected risks

Sustainability increasingly depends on intelligent automation. From smart thermostats and energy analytics to demand-response platforms and self-optimizing systems, digital technologies drive impressive efficiency gains. However with this connectivity increases exposure to multiple attack avenues beyond brute force. Every device connected to the network – a sensor, badge reader, HVAC controller, or lighting system – becomes a potential entry point.

And the consequences are not hypothetical. In 2021, a cyberattacker breached a water treatment facility in Florida and attempted to poison the supply by altering chemical levels. The breach was only caught because a vigilant employee noticed a mouse cursor moving on its own.

As we digitize critical infrastructure, we must also harden it. Automation isn’t the problem—it’s the enabler. Designers must secure it from the start, using protections that match the intelligence and complexity of the deployed systems.

The cost of complacency: Financial and reputational fallout

A cyber breach impacts more than just downtime. It can instantly wipe out the financial and environmental ROI of sustainability programs, and sometimes damage trust beyond repair.

In 2022, a ransomware attack on Bernalillo County, New Mexico, disrupted everything from building access systems to energy automation, forcing a shutdown of public offices and detention centers. HVAC and badge control systems were locked. Critical operations were paralyzed. It took weeks to recover, and the long-term reputational damage was significant.

Complacency isn’t just a failure to act—it’s trusting an infrastructure never designed to withstand modern threats. Organizations deployed many of the building and energy management systems that are still in use today years ago, before designers considered cybersecurity in their plans. These legacy systems often use unencrypted protocols, default credentials, or outdated firmware, yet they control some of the most critical functions in energy-intensive facilities. Without proper modernization, these systems quietly become liabilities.

Even smaller breaches can be devastating. The average cost of a data breach is now $4.88 million, the equivalent of the annual energy savings from dozens of LEED-certified buildings. And in a worst-case scenario, manipulated data can skew emissions reporting, triggering compliance violations and public accusations of greenwashing.

The silent threat: Attacks you won’t notice

Not all attacks make headlines. Many are slow burns: small, unnoticed changes to system logic or control parameters that degrade performance over time. For example, someone overrides a lighting schedule, tweaks a VFD control, or slowly compromises a badge system.

In a fully automated environment, the question isn’t just whether systems are functioning—it’s whether they function correctly. How would anyone even know if a 100% robotic factory gets hacked? Without real-time monitoring for anomalies, the damage m only surface weeks later, showing up as higher energy costs, emissions shifts, or disrupted processes.

How to protect your sustainability strategy

According to the World Economic Forum, cybersecurity must be treated as a core sustainability KPI. If your decarbonization strategy relies on digital infrastructure, you need to build cyber resilience into that foundation. Fortunately, well-established practices can help your organization get there:

1. Conduct penetration testing to uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do.
2. Isolate critical systems from public-facing networks. Air-gapped architectures still matter.
3. Adopt a zero-trust framework, requiring authentication for every user and device, regardless of location.

Organizations that lack in-house cyber expertise should consider partnering with specialists. Cybersecurity consultants, third-party audits, and frameworks like ISO 27001 or IEC 62443 can help design resilient systems tailored to each environment’s unique risks.

Protecting sustainability means protecting your grid

Sustainability requires cybersecurity. When we secure our digital infrastructure, we defend against threats and protect the future we’re working hard to build.

When was the last time your energy systems were tested for cyber vulnerabilities? If you don’t know, it’s time to find out. Learn more about cybersecurity solutions from Schneider Electric.

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Source: https://blog.se.com/infrastructure-and-grid/power-management-metering-monitoring-power-quality/2025/06/02/the-overlooked-threat-to-sustainability-cybersecurity-in-the-age-of-smart-systems/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_campaign