Protecting Oil and Gas from cyberattack

A recent report from Dragos on the Oil & Gas sector in the Middle East reveals the emerging threat from cybercriminals 

The Oil and Gas sector in the Middle East is one of the most dominant of its kind in the world, occupied with some of the largest reserves and companies contributing from all four corners of the globe. A large percentage of the Middle Eastern economy is dependent on this prospering source of trade and fuel. However, heavy is the head that wears the crown: being such a colossal source of commerce makes you a glaring target for malicious ne’er-do-wells, especially in the evolving and lawless cyberscape. Oil and Gas companies must respond accordingly to be able to defend themselves against cybercriminals, after only having to defend from physical malcontents for many years. 

 Cybersecurity experts Dragos Inc. published a report last year outlining the many issues the Oil & Gas industry face in the current climate, as well as action points needed to meet the challenge of evolving malicious technologies. Dragos’s International Channel Leader, Mayank Verma, looked further into this in an attempt to dispel any myths surrounding cyber defence of critical infrastructure that are preventing them from taking sufficient action. 

 The report, titled Oil & Natural Gas Cyber Threat Perspective: For the Gulf Cooperative Council Region, published in November 2021, “assesses with high confidence that adversaries pose a high risk of causing small-scale Operational Technology (OT) environment disruptions with moderate confidence that adversaries could cause large-scale OT disruption within the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) region during the next year”. 

The reasons given in the report included: 

  • An increase in the number of attacks against Oil and Natural Gas (ONG), including disruptive events that can occur at any stage within ONG operations (upstream, midstream and downstream). 
  • The significant increase in ransomware attacks. 
  • The increased focus instate-sponsored cyber activity. 
  • It’s continued significance as a high value target. 

 According to the report, “Ransomware remains the preeminent threat to Information Technology (IT) and OT environments. Ransomware attacks can disrupt production if OT is not properly segmented from IT systems. These disruptions have led to significant financial loss, damage, and reputational damage in the region. 

“Dragos assesses that the biggest cybersecurity issues asset owners currently face are a lack of asset visibility into their network and weak network authentication controls. Without asset visibility organisations are unable to properly secure their OT environments because defenders cannot protect what they cannot see. 

“Industrial Control Systems (ICS) adversary groups (AG) that focus on ONG and the energy sector at large pose the most OCS cyber security risk to the GCC regional ONG industry. Important risks include: intrusions enabling intelligence gathering and data theft; and cyber events that align with the economic interests of hostile states that rely on the ONG vertical.” 

To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here.

Never miss a story… Follow us on:
LinkedIn Security Buyer
Twitter logo @SecurityBuyer
Facebook @SecbuyerME

Media Contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, Security Portfolio
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Frank Mueller headshot

How LiDAR protects railways

Frank Mueller, Hexagon, presents a thought leadership perspective of the use of LiDAR in railway infrastructure.
Image provided by Customs support group

Hello Post-Brexit Security Protocols

Jo Cloherty, Senior Commercial Manager at Customs Support Group, explores the 2025 Safety and Security Protocols that have…
Two young intercultural programmers trying to solve problem with access to data while interacting in front of computers

DDoS attacks targeting critical infrastructure

NETSCOUT released its 2H2024 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report, revealing how Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)…
Image Provided by IPSA

IPSA Appoint Frontline Hero as Ambassador

Abdullah, the courageous security officer praised for foiling a horrific knife attack at Leicester Square, has been appointed as…
Image provided by Veeam

AI and Ransomware: Cutting Through the Hype

Rick Vanover, Vice President Product Strategy, Veeam discusses how It might be the great paradox: Artificial Intelligence (AI)….
Rasheed Alzahrani

Big Interview – Rasheed Alzahrani

Rasheed Alzahrani, Director of Safety and Security at King Salman Park Foundation, shares insights into innovative safety and security… 
Copyright: Security Buyer

AmiViz Partners with Titania

AmiViz announced a strategic distribution agreement with Titania. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to enhancing…
Copyright: Security Buyer

Perimeter Protection: Balancing Physical and Technology

Joseph Clarke, Assistant Editor advocates for a hybrid approach to balancing physical and technological barriers in perimeter security…
FLIR

Product Spotlight – FLIR

How DP World Yarimca relies on FLIR Security Solutions for efficient and secure port security operations …
Chubbsafes

Chubbsafes Celebrates 190 Years of Heritage, Trust, and Innovation

Chubbsafes proudly marks its 190th anniversary in 2025. Since its first safe patented in 1835, Chubbsafes has become synonymous…
Scroll to Top