Humans, not rogue AI, are still the biggest cybersecurity risk to energy systems

Experts say humans remain the biggest cybersecurity risk to energy systems. Power grids were already easy targets for hackers before AI arrived. Recent high-profile attacks have raised fears about thinking machines. But the experts say people, not rogue AI, still cause most problems. AI does make attacks faster and harder to stop. Hackers can use it to find weak points quickly. Once inside a network, they could shut down power supplies. The risk grows as more equipment joins the internet.

Power grids were built long before the internet was common. Many parts are old and not well protected. Governments have warned for years that hackers could target them. Countries have also accused each other of attacking energy systems. Safety experts say companies must update their defences. They add that training staff matters as much as buying new software. Workers can be tricked into opening the door for attackers.

This matters because everyone relies on electricity every day. A serious cyberattack could cut power to homes, hospitals and businesses.