Energy companies are a nearly irresistible target for hackers and data thieves. They have their customers' financial data and employees' healthcare information. They perform a vital economic function. They operate large, complex and often computer-controlled machinery. After an era of deregulation, mergers, acquisitions and consolidation, they often have a patchwork of IT systems and security applications with seams and forgotten back doors to be exploited. So is it surprising that the Department of Homeland Security's Computer Emergency Readiness Team investigated 79 hacking incidents at energy companies in 2014? Or that hackers broke into 37 percent of energy companies in 2013-14, according to ThreatTrack Security?
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