Safeguarding critical infrastructures from cyber attacks : A case study for offshore natural gas Assets

The majority of operations, as well as the physical and chemical processes, which take place on offshore Natural Gas installations are controlled by computer systems. These computer systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. If successful, such attacks can have disastrous and far-reaching consequences, including human casualties, large-scale pollution, and immense financial cost. In this paper we identify one possible way that an attacker can inflict material damage, by altering the parameters of the gas hydrate inhibition system. The formation of gas hydrates can completely halt operations for a prolonged period of time, could damage equipment, and directly endanger human lives. To raise the level of protection we propose the implementation of two lines of defense the second based on machine learning algorithms. Appreciating the sophistication of attacks, the inherent risks and complexity of multi-billion offshore energy assets we highlight the need for further research intended to address safety loopholes.