Governance: How to Deal with ICT Security in the Power Infrastructure?

The evolution of the power infrastructure has been characterized by the increasing and intensive use of information and communication technologies. This paper argues that this transition has situated the infrastructure in a new paradigm, here denominated “E + I”, indicating the inextricably interwoven nature of the energy and information aspects. The paper discusses the main characteristics of the power infrastructure, and identifies five strata for the analysis of the integration of the ICT components, four within the single electric company, and one referring to the interactions among the actors of the power infrastructure. Finally, the paper finishes with some considerations on the implications for the governance of cybersecurity in power infrastructures, highlighting the need of legitimacy for the governance arrangement, but also the requirement of producing efficient measures. For this solid supporting evidence is necessary, and this would require the support of appropriate testing facilities.

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