Using the cloud to operate electrical, automation and cooling systems brings new cybersecurity challenges – which can only be tackled effectively through a holistic, end-to-end approach.
Digitalization – including the IoT, Industry 5.0, the increasing use of standardized and open protocols, and rapidly expanding cloud connectivity – is accelerating. As electrical, automation and cooling systems become more connected, cybersecurity risks are evolving alongside these advancements. Recent cyber incidents, including coordinated attacks affecting wind and solar farms and disruptions to cloud environments, highlight the need for stronger safeguards across connected infrastructure.
This growing risk has prompted increased attention globally. Authorities such as the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency have emphasized the importance of addressing vulnerabilities in internet-facing edge devices, while other governments have highlighted similar concerns across critical infrastructure sectors.
Across the economy, the move to cloud systems requires adaptation to manage new threats. The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) latest Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 found that more than four in five organizations believe their current cyber resilience is either insufficient (17%) or only meets minimum requirements (64%).
The biggest challenges are seen as the rapidly evolving threat landscape and emerging technologies (61%), third-party and supply chain vulnerabilities (46%), and a shortage in relevant expertise and skills (45%).
But with the right practices, policies and strategies in place, electrical asset managers can experience the benefits of digitalization while relying on resilient, reliable systems.
Cybersecurity challenges in connected systems
So how can businesses ensure effective cybersecurity in cloud-connected electrical infrastructure? This involves four key pillars – people, process, technology and data privacy – which organizations must tackle in a strategic, comprehensive way.
At Schneider Electric, we support this through a holistic approach that brings together industry-leading cybersecurity and data privacy practices into an end-to-end framework.
Let’s look at the critical elements of modern cybersecurity, and how we address them:
1. People
Any technology is only as good as the people who use it. To strengthen operational resilience, system engineers and operators need an in-depth understanding of cybersecurity risks, so they can address them effectively. And they must follow effective procedures as they manage and maintain electrical systems.
Secure policies and procedures
Our cybersecurity approach is supported by a range of rigorous policies and practices. At its core is a zero-trust philosophy – backed up by principles such as continuous verification, allowing access only to authorized individuals, and segmenting networks. Clear procedures for staff and contractors, combined with ongoing training and awareness initiatives, ensure this way of working is embedded across our business and supply chains. All Schneider Electric on-site services representatives, for instance, must obtain our Cyber Badge certification – which involves training on secure operation principles consistent with industry cybersecurity standards.
In addition, we integrate safety and cybersecurity through a unified risk assessment approach that strengthens secure operational practices and protects customer environments. By combining these critical domains, we help ensure both workforce safety and operational integrity. Through our EcoOnline platform, we have enhanced traditional processes by introducing a two-step safety risk assessment—leveraging a published risk assessment library before site dispatch and conducting on-site condition assessments upon arrival—alongside an embedded cybersecurity checklist to address potential digital risks. This integrated framework enables a seamless transition from previous tools while ensuring a comprehensive and consistent approach to managing both safety and cybersecurity risks in the field.
2. Process
Installing a secure system is just the start. Once it’s up and running, new vulnerabilities can arise. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, and threat actors are developing more and more sophisticated methods. To ensure reliable operations, it’s essential that businesses continuously review and update their cybersecurity approach.
Secure by operations
We promote secure-by-operations principles to support customers and maintain long-term resilience. Through our Installed Base Security Program, we carry out continuous remote monitoring of equipment. This initiative proactively tackles vulnerabilities by collecting information on exposed operational technology (OT) devices. After gathering the relevant data, we use our expertise in energy systems and industrial environments to evaluate and mitigate risks.
In addition, we partner with other expert organizations to stay aware of the wider cybersecurity landscape and combat emerging threats. We carry out regular patching to keep our customers’ systems protected, and work with them to strengthen their defences through resilient network architecture.
3. Technology
Connected electrical, automation and cooling systems bring many advantages, enabling real-time data collection from equipment sensors, seamless connectivity to the cloud, and AI-powered analytics. This supports 24/7 remote monitoring, actionable insights, and condition-based maintenance—helping businesses improve performance, increase uptime, and reduce operational costs.
But unless they’re managed effectively, they can create new entry points to attackers, such as exposed sensors or controllers. It’s crucial that these potential vulnerabilities are resilient to threats – both as standalone assets and as part of the wider system architecture. With increasingly interconnected systems, the security of one asset influences the resilience of all.
Secure by design
Through our Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL) process, we embed security into both electrical and digital systems from the very outset. Our cybersecuritytrained R&D engineers apply rigorous threat modelling and analysis to digitally native equipment, such as our SM AirSeT switchgear and Galaxy VXL UPSs, ensuring risks are identified and addressed early in the design phase.
This structured approach aligns with leading industry standards, including ISA/IEC 62443-4-1, and is reinforced by extensive pre‑release validation. These checks include software composition verification, code analysis, and penetration testing to ensure each product meets the highest levels of security and reliability.
To further strengthen confidence in our testing processes, we have achieved independent recognition—becoming the first major vendor in our field to be accredited by the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST). In addition, our auditors, TÜV Rheinland, have certified that our entire SDL process complies with ISA/IEC 62443-4-1, validating both the robustness and consistency of our security-by-design approach.
4. Data privacy
Effective cybersecurity involves protecting data as well as the power supply. By keeping sensitive information secure, businesses can support compliance with stringent data regulations.
Secure infrastructure
We support data privacy through EcoStruxure™, our open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture and platform. Building our devices into a secure architecture supports safe data collection and transport through measures such as pre-authorized gateways, full encryption, and one-way data flows. Our processes align with the latest data and privacy regulations and all the data is securely stored in Microsoft Azure – which is certified to the highest cybersecurity standards.
Our Trust Charter emphasizes strong governance to ensure resilient and responsible data handling, with a commitment to sourcing, processing, and sharing personal information in a lawful and transparent manner. We adhere to key frameworks such as GDPR and CCPA, as well as all applicable regional data protection laws in the markets we serve. Our privacy program is overseen by a Global Data Protection Officer, supported by a network of Country Data Privacy Correspondents who ensure compliance across geographies. This structured approach reinforces our commitment to safeguarding data throughout its lifecycle and maintaining the highest standards of privacy protection.
Working together to strengthen cybersecurity
Our approach is comprehensive. But since cybersecurity involves many different stakeholders, any effective solution must be collaborative. That’s why we’re constantly in dialogue with our customers, encouraging them to carry out important activity such as:
- Monitoring their network
- Establishing operational and maintenance (O&M) procedures and controls
- Ensuring staff are continuously trained, cyber-aware, and fully qualified
- Performing routine patching
These steps are crucial to ensure resilient electrical infrastructure.
Strengthening cybersecurity with EcoCare
In digitally-driven electrical, automation and cooling systems, cybersecurity can’t be an afterthought – it must be embedded throughout people, process and technology. At Schneider Electric, we understand this, and make sure effective cloud security is at the heart of our digital services portfolio, including EcoCare, AI-powered condition-based maintenance with 24/7 remote monitoring and expert insights.
With EcoCare, sensors on electrical equipment take continuous readings of crucial metrics (such as temperature, wear and aging) to monitor its condition. AI-powered, cloud-based analytics then use this data to provide an ongoing, in-depth picture of the system’s health, backed by remote experts’ continuous monitoring and insights. This allows businesses to take control of their operations. They can anticipate issues before they arise – avoiding unplanned shutdowns to fix unexpected problems. And they can move towards condition-based maintenance, managing equipment based on its actual condition rather than fixed schedules. This way of working leads to increased uptime, reduced maintenance costs and greater resilience.
Cybersecurity practices behind EcoCare services, supported by advanced policies and rigorous testing, are designed to help businesses securely benefit from connected systems. By integrating security practices throughout the lifecycle, we aim to support reliable operations while addressing the evolving nature of cyber risks. It’s an approach focused on helping organizations build confidence in their digital infrastructure as they grow.
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