The importance of cyber protection in the power grid in the face of an uncertain future

Abstract

In the digital era, cybersecurity is transforming the behavior of human beings in the correct use of technology, which is why it has become a critical element in business strategy, thus giving rise to the present research, which identified the current situation of associated companies in the process of generation, transmission, distribution and public lighting of electricity in Costa Rica, in the field of cybersecurity, with special emphasis on the identification, analysis and evaluation of policies, standards, procedures, controls, regulations and infrastructure in the sector. The study approach was quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory; based on a sample of experts in information security, where a survey was used for data collection. In the findings obtained, the existence of personnel with the technical knowledge to deal with a computer incident was observed, but from the business perspective, the lack of an institutional guideline and country strategy for the protection of the electrical network was recognized. In conclusion, there is a latent risk in the infrastructure of the national power grid, which is evidenced by the lack of a clear national strategy that establishes a roadmap to protect the sector against a possible cyber-attack.