Cyber criminals put 'welfare' internet systems for offshore workers in their crosshairs
The National · Nicole Abigael ·
Energy companies are being urged to separate workers' personal internet access from critical operating systems
Oil and gas operators in the UAE face growing threats from cyber criminals hoping to infiltrate systems by preying on offshore workers being connected online to their loved ones, experts warned.
For workers spending months at sea, internet access has become an important way to stay in touch with family and friends back home. But providing that connection alongside the networks used to run offshore equipment is creating new cyber security concerns for energy companies.
Alaa Alsadi, group vice president of energy and chief operating officer for the Middle East at IEC Telecom, said companies must ensure that the internet used by workers is kept separate from the systems controlling critical operations.
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