Gas pipeline operators in need of cybersecurity regulation, report suggests

摘要

Imposing mandatory federal cybersecurity standards on US natural gaspipeline operators stands to bolster the creditworthiness of midstreamcompanies, as well as the electric power utilities they supply,according to analysts at Moody’s.Support for regulation is gaining traction as the power industrygrows more reliant on natural gas and as cyberattacks become moresophisticated, Moody’s wrote in a Wednesday research note. Weakfederal oversight not only exposes the pipeline industry to risk butcreates a loophole that could allow cybercriminals to disrupt thepower sector, which has been subject to oversight for years,according to the rating agency.