ERP Security for Utility Companies – Onapsis Partners with SNOPUD to Secure Critical SAP Applications

Cyberattacks on utility companies are on the rise, with a growing focus on exploiting vulnerabilities in SAP applications. The energy sector faces significant financial risks, with the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.72 million. The sensitive nature of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like SAP makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Despite the increasing threat, many utility companies struggle to allocate sufficient resources to security, especially as they push forward with digital transformation efforts. The potential consequences of an attack, including severe business disruptions, underscore the urgency of addressing these vulnerabilities.

For utility companies, a cyberattack on their essential ERP systems, production and supply chain operations, or customer portals can have severe consequences. These attacks, which increasingly target vital operations like energy assets, metering, and customer services, often aim to commit financial fraud, steal customer data, or disrupt critical infrastructure. Such disruptions can lead to power or water outages, posing serious risks to those dependent on these services for survival. As the threat of cyber-attacks grows, energy and water utilities face the dual challenge of safeguarding their critical systems while modernizing to incorporate clean energy technologies and enhancing access for customers and employees, all within the framework of heightened government oversight.

Onapsis, a leading provider of business application security and compliance solutions, has announced a partnership with Snohomish County Public Utility District (SNOPUD), the 12th largest public utility in the U.S. Through this collaboration, Onapsis will deliver SAP security services and strategic threat intelligence from Onapsis Research Labs (ORL) to the public utility agency. This will enhance SNOPUD’s SAP security measures as part of its Connect Up initiative, which aims to upgrade all meters across homes and businesses over the next three years. In this partnership, SNOPUD will utilize the Onapsis platform to secure new business processes associated with the Connect Up program, while also safeguarding the personal data of its 373,000 energy customers and 23,000 water customers.

Powered by threat intelligence from the Onapsis Research Labs, which includes some of the top contributors to SAP’s Security Response Team, the Onapsis platform offers a comprehensive, SaaS-based solution. This will provide SNOPUD with prioritized patch recommendations and automated vulnerability remediation, reducing the need for manual intervention and enabling staff to concentrate on other critical projects. The collaboration will also help SNOPUD establish a security-first approach as it embarks on its digital transformation journey.

Click here to access the live/on-demand webinar SAP Security: Before, During, and After a RISE with SAP Migration Featuring Snohomish PUD