Slovenia’s transmission system operator (TSO), ELES, is joining a new European network focused on expanding cybersecurity and improving systems for Europe’s interconnected energy systems. ELES’ engagement with this network is both a response to the expanding digital risks and a growing concern for the digital protection of interconnected electricity systems.
ENCS is a concrete response to the need to strengthen European cyber defense and increase the resilience of energy systems
ELES will be engaged with the European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS), which is a partnership of transmission operators, regulators, and cybersecurity practitioners within Europe, working to formulate and implement principles and standards.
There are significant risks to the economy and national security, with the operational technology of the energy sector vital for the control systems of the economy. The European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) will further operationalize safeguards strengthened through participation within ENCS by leveraging collaborative cyber defense research, training, and incident response plans.
The electricity grids in today’s world are heavily supported by digital systems used for monitoring, controlling, and automating management processes within the grids.
Although these digital systems help manage the grids efficiently and reliably, they can also be used for ill purposes. Cyber attacks on the system may result in damage to the system and infrastructure and, in addition, cause considerable financial losses and outages.
“Cybersecurity is no longer optional, as it is part of energy security.”
As quoted by SeeNews, ELES representatives remarked:
“In light of these recent attacks, cybersecurity is no longer optional, as it is part of energy security, taking part in ENCS is our way of protecting the electricity system in Slovenia and working on energy security in Europe.”
As of 2012, ENCS is one of the leaders in cybersecurity in the energy field, working closely with European TSOs, Distribution companies, and Manufacturers. Because it is a Specialized organization of Energy, ENCS seeks to prepare and implement effective security grid systems for smart grids that are not interlinked and are subjected to cyber threats.
ENCS provides a network of system operators with essential resources to help meet the legal requirements of the European Union Cyber Security System (NIS directive), focusing on supporting operators like ELES.
ENCS offers relational and informational services
ELES’s decision to join ENCS aligns with Slovenia’s efforts to accelerate its energy transition, as both initiatives focus on integrating renewables and modernizing grid technology to enhance energy security.
Experts are warning that the smarter and more interconnected a grid becomes, the more serious the consequences of a cyber attack will be:
“The digital interconnectivity of smart grids makes them prime targets for cyberattacks. As these systems grow more complex, the potential impact of a single breach can escalate from local disruptions to widespread outages and economic instability.”
An ENCS representative emphasizes that because cyber threats do not respect borders, a coordinated European approach is imperative to protect critical infrastructure and sustain trust in the energy system.
ELES will be strengthening internal cybersecurity
Collaborative efforts, like ENCS, are deemed essential in addressing these challenges and protecting the supply and functionality of energy in Europe.
ELES will be working on improving internal cybersecurity by taking measures including training personnel, performing risk assessments, and introducing new cybersecurity measures, by utilizing ENCS resources. The operator also plans to contribute to the creation of new standards in the cybersecurity sector and participate in extra training events.
Europe will continue to face challenges in cybersecurity as it implements new technologies and decentralizes its energy system. ELES’s joining ENCS is a sign of Slovenia’s proactive positioning and emphasizes the value of cooperation to defend the continent’s energy infrastructure.
