In my last article, I discussed the rising role of edge computing in bridging OT and IT across electric utilities—enabling real-time decision-making, improved reliability, and smarter grid operations.
As utilities move from pilots to scaled edge deployments, a clear pattern is emerging.The biggest constraint is no longer technology maturity or business justification. It is security. This article builds on that discussion and focuses on the security considerations that are now reshaping how edge strategies must be designed, governed, and executed.
From Performance Enablement to Risk Management
Edge computing was initially adopted to solve practical operational challenges—latency, bandwidth constraints, and the need for localized intelligence. These benefits remain real and compelling. However, as edge footprints grow, utilities are discovering that performance gains come with a fundamentally different risk profile.
Thousands of distributed devices, operating across substations, DER sites, and field locations, introduce an attack surface that cannot be protected using traditional, perimeter-based security models. The implication for leadership is simple: edge security must be treated as a strategic risk management issue, not a technical afterthought.
OT–IT Convergence Has Changed the Security Equation
In my previous article, I highlighted how edge computing accelerates OT–IT convergence and unlocks new operational insights. That same convergence also alters trust assumptions that have existed in utilities for decades.
OT environments were designed for availability and safety, not persistent cyber threats. IT environments assume constant change and continuous defense.
At the edge, these worlds converge.
Data now flows bi-directionally—from field devices to enterprise platforms and, increasingly, back into operational control paths. This means a cyber incident can move beyond data compromise to direct operational impact. Leading utilities are responding by shifting toward identity-driven and Zero Trust security models, where every device and interaction is continuously verified.
Device Identity and Lifecycle Security: The Hidden Complexity
One of the least visible—but most consequential—challenges in edge security is device identity over long asset lifecycles. Key questions include:
• Do we have a verifiable identity for every edge device deployed today?
• How are credentials managed over 10–20 year lifecycles?
• What happens to access and trust when vendors change or devices reach end-of-life?
At scale, unmanaged device identity becomes a material risk. A compromised edge device is no longer just an IT issue—it can quickly become an operational and safety concern.
Why Data Integrity Matters More Than Data Confidentiality
In enterprise IT, security conversations often focus on preventing data theft. In grid operations, the greater risk is acting on incorrect or manipulated data.
Edge platforms increasingly support automation, advanced analytics, and AI-driven insights. If sensor data or telemetry cannot be trusted, confidence in these capabilities erodes—and adoption stalls. For utility leaders, the critical question is no longer simply “Is our data protected?” It is “Can we trust the data driving operational decisions?”
Regulatory and Governance Expectations Are Catching Up
Regulatory frameworks are evolving to reflect the realities of distributed, edge-enabled operations. Auditors, boards, and insurers are extending their focus beyond centralized control systems to how security is governed across the edge.
Security posture is increasingly viewed as a proxy for organizational maturity and leadership accountability, not just technical compliance.
Security Is Now an Architectural Choice
The most forward-looking utilities are aligned on a common lesson: security cannot be bolted on after edge deployment. Instead, it must be embedded into:
• Edge and platform architecture decisions
• Vendor and ecosystem strategy
• Operating and support models
• Incident response and recovery planning
This requires close alignment across business leadership, operations, IT, OT, and risk teams—often challenging long-standing silos.
Closing Thought
Edge computing remains essential to the future of the electric grid. It is a powerful enabler of reliability, resilience, and operational intelligence. But without a deliberate, security-first approach, edge can also become the grid’s most vulnerable point. For leaders, the question is no longer whether edge computing can be secured—but whether the organization is governing security as a core enabler of trust, resilience, and long-term value. The utilities that get this right will not only reduce risk—they will scale faster and lead with confidence in an increasingly complex energy ecosystem.