The Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) recently hosted the two-day Cybersecurity Workshop 2024 in partnership with the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) to strengthen cybersecurity measures and promote collaboration within the electricity sector. The workshop focused on cybersecurity incidents, digital forensics, and the protection of operational technology environments. The aim was to exchange expertise, discuss advancements in cybersecurity incidents, and explore technologies to enhance substations’ security. This initiative aligns with OETC’s commitment to bolstering cybersecurity, ensuring the security of assets, data, and employees, sharing knowledge, and enhancing skills and capabilities in cybersecurity at national, regional, and international levels.
Expert speakers from OETC, GCCIA, and the Oman National Computer Emergency Readiness Team covered various topics such as improving security measures for SCADA and control systems, cybersecurity developments in power station infrastructure, incident response and recovery at power stations, and the significance of security drills. Eng. Sultan Al-Rawahi, General Manager of Load Dispatch Center and Oman’s representative in the Operational Committee of GCCIA, stressed OETC’s dedication to collaborating with multiple institutions and sectors to enhance the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of its employees across various fields. OETC’s focus on developing its employees, enhancing their capabilities, and supporting them through initiatives and projects demonstrates its commitment to continuous improvement.
As a member of the Nama Group, OETC plays a critical role in transmitting and controlling electricity across the Sultanate’s network, delivering power from production stations to distributed load centers in the governorates. With a transmission network operating at voltages of 132kV and above, OETC covers most of the Sultanate’s governorates, including those in the north and south. Additionally, OETC manages interconnection lines between Oman and the GCC interconnection network operating at 220kV voltage. The company’s central position in the electricity transmission sector underscores the importance of bolstering cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical infrastructure, data, and systems from potential cyber threats and risks.
Through initiatives like the Cybersecurity Workshop 2024, OETC is proactively addressing the evolving cybersecurity landscape and advancing towards a more robust and resilient operational technology environment. By exchanging expertise, promoting collaboration, and harnessing advanced technologies, OETC aims to enhance the security of its substations and infrastructure, enabling smoother operations and mitigating risks associated with cyber threats. The company’s commitment to fostering sector-wide collaboration and knowledge sharing underscores its proactive stance in enhancing cybersecurity measures and ensuring a secure operational environment for its employees and stakeholders.
OETC’s emphasis on employee development, capacity building, and continuous engagement with experts and specialists from various fields and sectors reflects its dedication to enhancing skills and capabilities within the organization. By providing a platform for exchanging experiences, learning from industry best practices, and staying abreast of cybersecurity developments, OETC positions itself as a leader in promoting cybersecurity excellence within the electricity sector. Through ongoing collaboration with national and international partners, OETC not only enhances its operational efficiency and security posture but also contributes to the broader resilience and reliability of the electricity network in Oman and the GCC region.
