· Energy · 2 min read
Security by design for energy platforms: common failure points
Where energy platforms usually slip, and how to fix it early.
Security by design for energy platforms is about consistent small decisions. Large breaches usually start with basic weaknesses that were ignored early on.
Identity boundaries are the most common failure point. Shared accounts and broad permissions make lateral movement easy. Use least privilege and clear service identities. Audit access on a regular schedule.
Network segmentation
Flat networks make it easy for attackers to move. Segment by environment and by criticality. Document allowed flows and block the rest. Keep segmentation simple so it is maintainable.
Secrets handling
Avoid secrets in code, build logs, or configuration repositories. Rotate keys and assign clear owners. Use a managed secrets store and review access logs.
Audit trails and incident readiness
Keep audit logs long enough for real investigations. Run tabletop exercises so teams know their roles. Incident response needs practice, not a wiki page.
Add security checks to delivery workflows. If infrastructure changes bypass review, segmentation and identity controls will drift. Security by design depends on consistent delivery discipline.
Security by design is not a single project. It is a set of repeated choices that keep risk low over time.
Include security reviews in the early architecture stage. If controls are bolted on later, the system will carry long term risk. A short security checklist at design time can prevent large rewrites.
Limit external integrations to the minimum required. Each integration adds an attack surface and a data flow that must be monitored. Document why each integration exists and who owns it.
Monitor for configuration drift. If segmentation or IAM rules change outside the normal pipeline, it should be visible. Drift is a common root cause of security incidents.
