What you will learn in this article:

• Security strategies to protect from physical and digital threats
• Ready-now solutions for modernizing the grid
• How to take the next step in an intensifying threat landscape

Electric vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy and climate factors are driving new challenges for the modern grid, from energy distribution to the integration of updated and legacy power systems. All these factors are contributing to rising energy use, with experts predicting a 25% increase in power consumption in the United States by 2030 and a 78% increase by 2050.¹

Utilities and grid operators are working to keep pace. They are embracing smarter, more connected solutions that optimize resources and respond to changes in near real-time. Added connectivity also leads to a broader and more complex attack landscape, where each new device or endpoint that improves efficiency also creates a possible entry point for cyber intrusions. Severe weather, natural disasters and sabotage from malicious actors can pose threats to physical infrastructure, too.

To protect the grid from both physical and digital threats, operators should focus on these four key areas to bring their security strategies together:

1. Adopting automated fault detection and isolation (FDI) systems
2. Establishing decentralized power via microgrids
3. Adhering to security standards, including the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP)
4. Taking a proactive approach to threat protection

Adopting Automated Fault Detection and Isolation

Automated FDI systems are changing the way outages are managed and resolved. Power instantly gets rerouted to keep most homes up and running. In this kind of situation, fewer homes would lose power instead of a more widespread outage. Once a nearby crew receives detailed diagnostics, they go to work to restore power within a couple of hours, making the recovery more focused and efficient.

Establishing Decentralized Power via Microgrids

Microgrids decentralize energy generation and help reduce dependence on the main grid, offering a more resilient way to deliver power. They can operate independently during emergencies, enabling essential services to remain powered, even if the central grid goes dark. At Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Honeywell rolled out a microgrid that connects existing backup generators across multiple buildings and puts them under a single intelligent control system to share the power load efficiently.² Honeywell has also developed and operates a microgrid serving the 3.9 million square-foot campus at the Food and Drug Administration’s White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.³

Adhering to Security Standards

Officially adopted in 2006, the NERC CIP standards help protect the North American power grid through mandatory cybersecurity and physical security requirements. These standards enforce consistent protections, such as access controls systems and OT cybersecurity, including incident response plans and regular risk assessments, across the Bulk Electric System. They also require safeguards for high-impact physical assets, including power generation stations, substations and control centers, to deter or mitigate sabotage or malicious actors.

In the current threat landscape, simply checking the compliance box isn’t always enough. True resilience calls for steps beyond NERC CIP to address evolving risks like supply chain attacks, sophisticated malware and blended cyber-physical threats.

Solution Spotlight: Secure Media Exchange (SMX)

Honeywell’s Secure Media Exchange® (SMX) targets a critical issue that utilities might overlook: the risks posed by removable media devices like USB drives and SD cards. SMX enforces enterprise-level USB management policies by scanning devices for malware and other security concerns before they can access infrastructure. For grid operators who need to meet strict cybersecurity standards while managing daily operations, SMX is valuable not only because it’s simple to install, but it also delivers proven results. One Fortune 500 energy company achieved NERC CIP compliance with ease and gained USB protection for employees, contractors and site visitors across production facilities.⁴

Taking a Proactive Approach to Threat Protection

Threats to the power grid are growing more complex, so utilities must build a layered defense that deals with both cyber and physical elements. The 2013 Metcalf substation attack marked a turning point for physical security and showed the need for proactive measures. Unknown attackers disabled communications by cutting fiber optic cables attached to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) Metcalf transmission substation near San Jose, Calif. Then, they used high-powered sniper rifles to shoot at transformers, carrying out an attack that lasted nearly 20 minutes, damaged 17 transformers and caused more than $15 million in damage.⁵

The incident sparked a shift across North America from passive, scattered security systems to active, intelligent tools for enhanced resilience. PG&E and other utilities invested heavily in upgraded physical security measures, including video networks and thermal imaging cameras, intrusion sensors, biometric access controls and enhanced access control systems. Other real-time monitoring tools like drones and AI-powered analytics represent the next evolution of proactive visibility and faster response times. It’s also crucial for utilities to have integrated security systems that help demonstrate regulatory compliance.

Solution Spotlight: Honeywell Vindicator

The Honeywell Vindicator® platform delivers integrated security management that goes beyond traditional point solutions. Often deployed in high-security environments like defense bases, Vindicator can play a critical role in helping to protect energy infrastructure. It combines access control, video systems, intrusion detection and communications into a single platform. By seamlessly connecting with Honeywell platforms and third-party systems, Vindicator can help operators reduce security gaps across utilities and strengthen situational awareness.

Take the Next Step Toward Grid Resilience

Growing energy demands, modern infrastructure and an intensifying threat landscape are accelerating the need for stronger grid security. Honeywell provides utilities with comprehensive solutions that can support strategies for cybersecurity and physical security. From threat detection to automated response and coordination tools, Honeywell helps operators manage risks and maintain a reliable energy supply.

Speak with a Honeywell expert to find out how to bolster security and build a more resilient grid, for now and the future.

References

_{^1. American Public Power Association, “Electricity Demand Expected to Grow 25% By 2030: ICF,” Paul Ciampoli, May 20, 2025. [Accessed August 7, 2025]}

_{^2. Microgrid Knowledge, “Honeywell to Install New Military Microgrid at Fort Bragg,” Elisa Wood, June 19, 2014. [Accessed September 3, 2025]} 

_{^3. U.S. Department of Energy, “Honeywell Helps Deliver Resiliency and Cost Savings to Food and Drug Administration's White Oak Campus,” April 18, 2023. [Accessed September 3, 2025]}

_{^4. Honeywell Forge, “NERC CIP Compliance Equals Better Grid Cybersecurity,” April 2021. [Accessed September 3, 2025]} 

_{^5. Utility Dive, “FBI: Attack on PG&E substation was not terrorism,” Herman K. Trabish, September 11, 2014. [Accessed August 7, 2025]}