Cyberattack Prevention in Essential Services and SaaS

Interface de AI monitorando rede de energia

Introduction

Preventing cyberattacks on essential services has become an urgent issue in the Americas: water, energy, telecommunications, and health systems are under constant digital threat.

Every day, the risk of hacks that could interrupt the provision of these services increases, directly impacting the population. Real-life cases have already demonstrated that lives can be put at risk by digital failures—making it essential to explore solutions like artificial intelligence.

The public must understand the scenarios, vulnerabilities, and, above all, the tools for defense. In this article, we present a critical and clear analysis based on current data, case studies, public policies, and practical recommendations.

1. Overview of essential services

The infrastructure that maintains water, energy, telecommunications, and healthcare supplies are strategic pillars. However, many still operate with legacy systems lacking regular updates, inadequate network segmentation, and weak access controls—factors that expand the attack surface.

2. Common vulnerabilities

• SCADA and legacy systems: confine old protocols without encryption.

• Lack of isolation of corporate and industrial networks: attackers move laterally with ease.

• Weak or standardized credentials: increase exposure.

• Insufficient monitoring: Allows intruders to hide for periods of time.

• Poor training: human negligence is a recurring vector.

  
  

3. Real cases that warn

• Ukraine (2015–2016) : cyberattack left approximately 230,000 to 250,000 people without power for several hours, through the use of malware such as BlackEnergy and KillDisk, in remotely operated substations ( CISA, 2016 , Wikipedia ).

• Hospitals in Brazil (2021–2022) : Ransomware attacks paralyzed systems at several hospitals, making appointments, access to medical records, and exams impossible.

• USA (2021) : Attempted attack on water system in Mount Desert, Maine, compromised administrative systems, although water treatment was not affected ( KonBriefing, 2021 ).

  
  

4. How to prevent attacks

Prevention requires a multi-layered approach:

1. Continuous risk assessment;

2. Frequent fixes and updates;

3. Network segmentation and microsegmentation;

4. EDR/NDR solutions for full visibility;

5. Isolated backups and recovery testing;

6. Pen-tests and periodic simulations.

   
   

5. Public policies in the Americas

Jim Dempsey argues that despite initiatives in the US and other countries, "the systems that provide water, electricity, telecommunications, and health care" still face "glaring deficiencies" due to fragmented regulations ( Lawfare, 2025 ).

The article criticizes the lack of unified standards and regional cooperation. It proposes the creation of joint regulations, encouraging private sector participation, and conducting collective response exercises.

6. Artificial intelligence as an ally

AI applied to cybersecurity in essential infrastructure brings:

• Anomaly detection (e.g. Darktrace);

• Automated response when risk is identified;

• Predictive analysis;

• Intelligent data orchestration.

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7. Challenges in adopting AI

• Data quality;

• Cost and shortage of professionals;

• False positives;

• Regulatory compliance;

• Cultural resistance.

  
  

8. Recommended best practices

• Invest in the modernization of SCADA systems;

• Implement layered segmentation;

• Carry out continuous training;

• Conduct realistic simulations;

• Participate in regional collaborative initiatives.

  
  

9. Recommended products and information products

Amazon:

• Firewalla Pro ;

• Claroty xDome ;

• Book " Securing Critical Infrastructure Networks ".

Hotmart:

• Industrial Cybersecurity in Practice Course;

• Critical Infrastructure Protection;

• AI in Advanced Cyber Defense.

  
  

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References

CISA. IR Alert (IR-ALERT-H-16-056-01) - Cyber-Attack Against Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure . US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2016. Available at: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-alerts/ir-alert-h-16-056-01

DEMPSEY, J. The cybersecurity patchwork quilt remains incomplete . Lawfare, 2025. Available at: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-cybersecurity-patchwork-quilt-remains-incomplete

KONBRIEFING. Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure - 2021 . 2021. Available at: https://konbriefing.com/en-topics/cyber-attacks-2021-2.html

WIKIPEDIA. 2015 Ukraine power grid hack . Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Ukraine_power_grid_hack