Safeguarding National Critical Energy Infrastructure using Cybersecurity Frameworks and Collaborative Approach for a Resilient Energy Future

Wesley O. Odumu¹, Barnabas I. Gwaivangmin² and Ademola P. Adewoye³

¹Department of Computer Engineering, School of Engineering Technology Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin ladi Plateau State. (writeodeh@yahoo.com, +2348035988003)

²Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Bauchi State. (gwaivangminb@gmail.com, +2348027093429)

³Meglope Nig. Ltd, Zarazon New Layout, Jos Pateau State. (adewoyepeterademola@gmail.com, +2348055551473)

ABSTRACT

The government heavy reliance on information communication technology for their daily activities and administration to drive the operations of critical infrastructures cannot be overemphasized. This is evident largely in industrial control systems (ICS) among which the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system is used to monitor and manage essential operations exposing it to cyber threats and attacks. Cyber threats and attacks on critical infrastructure result to denial of service, vandalism, theft or manipulation of data and even physical harm which can lead to catastrophic national security and economic downturn. These are attributed to the integration and increasing interconnectivity of enterprise information technology and operational technology with standard solution instead of proprietary protocol and software. This paper presents analysis of threat: environment, classification and their attributes and cyber-security frameworks to guard against threats and attacks on critical energy infrastructures using case study approach to demonstrate practical applications in real-world scenarios. The emphasis is on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for remote controlling switches, pumps and surveillance systems. This is for government to shape the cyber-security outlook of the critical energy infrastructures to be more secured, resilient, adaptive and sustainable. This will help government make meaningful informed decisions on the cyber-security solutions most appropriate to meet their specific needs and challenges. Besides, it will promote collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst professionals and stakeholders in government, energy companies, regulators, and cyber-security experts for greater innovation and advancement.

Keywords: Cybersecurity Framework, Critical Infrastructure, Cyber Threat, Energy, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), Collaboration.

CITE AS: Wesley O. Odumu, Barnabas I. Gwaivangmin  and Ademola P. Adewoye (2025). Safeguarding National Critical Energy Infrastructure using Cybersecurity Frameworks and Collaborative Approach for a Resilient Energy Future. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL   JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES, 6(1):31-47. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJSES/2025/61.3147