In the first half of 2024, only Dominican government institutions received 139 million attempted cyber attacks, figures that are projected to exceed the 157 million received in 2023, according to the National Center for Cybersecurity (CNCS).
Overall, the country recorded more 1 billion attempts of attacks on 2023which were aimed at all sectors, including the electrical sector. This forces the Government and the private sector to take measures in order to avoid a collapse.
The topic was discussed in the Symposium cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (IA) in electrical systemsorganized by the Superintendency of Electricity (SIE) and the National Energy Commission (CNE) in commemoration of its 23rd anniversary.
Edward Verasdirector of the CNE, omitted the statistics of the attacks on the sector, indicating “security issue”, but assured that they have been minima.
He specified that still Dominican Republic has not had a blackout caused by a cyber attack“because they are robust systems with very strong security schemes.”
“There is still no complaint that an attack has reached a point where the system is vulnerable,” he said.
![[object HTMLTextAreaElement]](https://resources.diariolibre.com/images/2024/07/25/whatsapp-image-2024-07-25-at-8.42.31-pm--3.jpeg "Is the Dominican Republic's electrical system protected against a cyber attack?")
Most affected sectors in Latin America
A note from the EFE agency published this Thursday indicates that the industries of oil, gas and energy are the most affected by cyber attacks in Latin Americawith 27% of the robberies, according to data from the firm Kasperskydedicated to the sale of softwares of security.
The statement indicates that 12% of Latin American companies have suffered online incidents due to insufficient investment in cybersecurity in the last two years.
The risks
Panelist Carlos Sussmann, manager of Cybersecurity AES Dominicana cited that among the risks are the difficult access to the plant’s operational technology (OT) systems, which is a challenge for specialists in the field.
-
He also mentioned the internal risk, which could occur with someone who knows how to operate the equipment from the inside.
-
Instrumentation and strategic analysis, which involves modifying data in order to alter market behavior.
-
Sabotage.
-
Physical risk to the plant.
-
Lack of cybersecurity professionals in the sector.
Also at the symposium, Juan Gautreauxdirector of the National Center for Cybersecuritywho shared good practices to avoid damage, said that this institution monitors 1.8 million of public IP in the Dominican Republic in order to avoid damage to institutions.
