With hundreds of governments, businesses, communities, and individuals becoming increasingly aware of renewable energy and how resourceful smart technology can truly be, we’re seeing a significant spike in public and private utilization of these devices, accessories, and systems. More homes, businesses, and public infrastructures are now utilizing smart technologies that come in the forms of sensors, cameras, and everyday devices than every before, with their main attractions being their simplicity, conveniences, the amount and different types of data these technologies collect and utilize. One of the fastest-growing smart technologies are smart meters, which have seen a global shift in many developed countries across North America and Europe.
Smart meters offer a series of environmental, technological, and operational benefits to consumers, communities, and energy companies that manage these grids. Although one of the keys behind the convenience and resourcefulness smart meters offer involve utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, it makes smart maters just as susceptible to cyberattacks, which could have devastating widespread ramifications if the wrong people gain access to these systems. While smart meters are increasing in popularity and efficiency, they’ve also become a popular target for cybercriminals across the world. The infographic below captures the recent (but in-depth) relationship history between cybercrime and smart meters, along with some compelling statistics on how these attacks can affect smart meter grids, despite the numerous benefits they offer.
