There is a growing concern over the risks in the oil and gas sectors. From cyber-attacks to fraud, these risks hurt companies’ bottom lines. In light of this concern, organizations need to be aware of protecting themselves. This guide will discuss some of the most common security concerns and provide tools for mitigating them.
1. Cyber Attacks
The first step in preventing cyberattacks is understanding what makes your organization vulnerable; there are many different types of vulnerabilities that make up this threat vector, and all companies should work towards eliminating as many as possible through education and training for employees, procurement process improvements like better vendor selection criteria, or technical solutions like data encryption software.
Cybercriminals have a huge advantage – they only need to find one vulnerability, while companies must eliminate all of them. This is an ongoing process, and security risk management should ensure that vulnerabilities are constantly being eliminated. If attacks do occur, security readiness can be one way to limit damage from cyberattacks. In the event of a successful attack, a company needs to understand what data was compromised and how it can be used against them.
2. Internal Fraud
Internal threats are one of the most dangerous risks to an organization because they can be especially difficult to detect. There are many ways employees can commit fraud against their employers, such as off-the-book transactions, stealing or altering documents and electronic records, skimming from company accounts, and tampering with accounting systems.
Organizations need to establish and implement effective control mechanisms and training for employees. It is also important that if an organization does discover fraud, they take immediate remedial action and show the business community it has taken steps to avoid future incidents.
3. Natural Disasters
Natural disasters can be especially disruptive to oil and gas companies because such events often occur in remote locations. They also tend to be especially dangerous for infrastructure and oil storage facilities, such as refineries. The risk can be mitigated through effective planning and preparedness; this includes having a business continuity management system (BCMS) that is supported by up-to-date information about potential risks.
Security guards can play an important role in the event of a natural disaster. They will be able to respond immediately and help evacuate employees, visitors, and contractors from the premises.
4. Terrorism
Terrorism is another national security concern that directly impacts oil and gas companies in remote regions. Oil and gas companies should be aware of their surroundings and if they see anything suspicious, report it immediately to authorities. Organizations should also consider that such events may result in an extended shutdown of operations due to security measures.
It is important to have security guards (https://www.interceptsecurityservices.ca/) who are well-trained for emergency scenarios. They should be prepared to evacuate the premises and assist during any potential attack. This ensures that valuable assets are protected, and employees’ safety remains a priority.
5. Stolen Assets
Of particular concern to oil and gas companies are stolen assets, especially those that can be used in the act of terrorism. It is important for organizations to establish good risk management practices so they know what needs to be protected, where the assets are located, and how they will be moved throughout the facility.
It is equally important to have strong physical security measures in place to protect employees against any potential attacks. Protocols ensure that everyone knows what to do if an event does occur.
Security guards can play a critical role in safeguarding assets by monitoring who is coming and going, helping to maintain perimeter access control, providing screening services for visitors or contractors entering the premises, and being the first line of defence in emergency scenarios.
6. Data Loss/Theft
Data theft has become a common issue for oil and gas companies in recent years. They are prime targets because they hold vast amounts of sensitive information about employees, customers, contractors, suppliers, and partners. When an organization’s data is compromised, not only is it at risk for reputational damage, but the information may also be used in other cyber crimes or acts of terrorism.
Oil and gas organizations should consider investing in security solutions that will protect their information, including email encryption, data loss prevention (DLP) technologies, and intrusion detection systems.
They should also educate employees about the importance of maintaining good password hygiene, keeping files secure when they are downloading them, and spot phishing scams.
If you work in the oil and gas industry, it’s important to know how security risks can affect your company. Natural disasters such as terrorism or data theft are just some examples discussed in this article.
