In the energy sector, a cyberattack is more than just a technical crisis—it’s a high-stakes moment with far-reaching consequences. Beyond the immediate chaos of containment and remediation, there are legal repercussions, regulatory scrutiny, and reputational risks to manage.

What happens when the tools you rely on to manage a crisis become part of the problem? During a cyber breach, compromised communication channels can stall your incident response, expose critical remediation processes to adversaries, and create regulatory and reputational risks for your company.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming the energy sector by enhancing operational safety, efficiency, and security, as highlighted in the 2024 CESER-DoE report. However, these advancements come with significant risks. Adversaries are using sophisticated tools to target essential infrastructure, making AI a double-edged sword.

The frequency and sophistication of cyber threats continue to escalate, posing significant risks to critical infrastructures, particularly within the energy sector. Fundamental to national security and economic stability, these organizations find themselves on the front lines of cyber defense.

Today’s digital world is constantly changing, with cyber threats becoming more complex and evolving rapidly. This presents significant challenges for businesses in all sectors, especially those operating within critical infrastructure. These threats don’t just affect the technical aspects; they also impact how an organization operates, its legal responsibilities, and its overall strategy.

In the wake of the Salt Typhoon breach, a sophisticated attack exploiting telecom infrastructure to intercept calls, texts, and metadata, the FBI has recommended that private citizens move their communications to end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal and WhatsApp to safeguard their privacy.

Sensitive communications within executive teams, boards, and other high-level functions are prime targets for adversaries, especially in today’s landscape where AI is increasingly being leveraged to assess and exploit stolen data. These communications—often involving M&A, internal investigations, HR matters, and legal discussions—can have devastating consequences if leaked.

When incidents occur, the impact stretches far beyond just the incident response team. Disruptions affect revenue generation, servicing customers, production, and more. Reliable and secure communication is essential for mitigating these impacts.

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Chicago recently hosted a dynamic panel discussion, “Cybersecurity: Interdisciplinary Tips on the New Regulatory Landscape for In-House Counsel,” in partnership with Benesch Law.

The panel, which included ArmorText CEO Navroop Mitter, offered invaluable insights into the evolving cybersecurity regulatory landscape and how in-house counsel can better prepare for potential breaches.

Following an attack, the immediate focus is often on damage control and restoring normalcy. However, there’s a lurking danger in continuing to use your everyday communication tools. These platforms, vital for daily operations, can become liabilities after a breach, providing hackers with a backdoor for surveillance, data theft, and further attacks.