Thoughts on energy cybersecurity from The Hague

The Oilholic is just rounding up a visit to The Hague, Netherlands, after an insightful two days at the ONE Conference - a leading annual cybersecurity event held here as part of this year's Cybersecurity Week. 

In the digital age, this issue is an area of critical concern and rising operating expenditure for the energy and heavy industry segments. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), big data and automation are rising in currency in the inexorable march to throughput optimisation, and hostile actors are after that digital estate given the complex world we live in.

It is therefore no surprise that energy and industrial firms have gone from reactive to proactive mode on cybersecurity, as complacency is simply not an option. That was a warning as well as call to action delivered by none other than Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in his keynote address to the event on Tuesday. 

Here is yours truly's missive from the ONE Conference for Forbes. It also includes the thoughts of Matthijs van Amelsfort, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, Netherlands, on threat assessments and those of Mark Ruijsendaal, Programme Director at Security Delta, on addressing the skills and awareness gaps from a Europe perspective. 

Delegates also heard from Bibi van den Berg, Professor of Cybersecurity Governance, and head of the Cybersecurity Governance Research Group, at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University. 

van den Berg said that rather than view security as an add-on, which is typically how most industries go about it - were they to instead design systems and networks securely from the start - risks may be reduced and incidents may be prevented to a much higher degree than what happens at the moment. In other word, a "security by design" approach. 

Elsewhere, among the many interesting subjects on industrial cybersecurity the Oilholic engaged with, one by Justin Grosfelt, Senior Manager at Recorded Future, on turning malware against itself for proactive defence was heavily attended, with even standing room running out. 

Grosfelt asked what if the key to stopping malware was hidden inside the actual malware itself? Essentially exploring the concept of malware vaccines, i.e. using and deploying the techniques  malware uses for self-preservation to turn the tables on attackers.

In an engaging session, he outlined (some of the) countermeasures that may trick malware into aborting its execution before it ever deploys its payload. 

Away from the event's wide-ranging programme, this blogger also took time out to visit its Expo. 

The theme this year was "Meet the Start-Ups." And true to the masthead, the Expo featured 30 booths where start-ups presented their latest developments in cybersecurity. 

The Expo also had a talent hub, and interestingly a "capital area" where start-ups could meet private and public organisations to discuss subsidies, funding schemes and venture investment. All-in-all, a splendid event on a vital subject. 

On that note, its goodbye from The Hague and the ONE Conference. More musings to follow soon. Keep reading, keep it here, keep it 'crude'!

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© Gaurav Sharma 2025. Photo I: Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof addresses the ONE Conference in the Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Photo II: Energy Analyst Gaurav Sharma at the ONE Conference. Photo III: Talent Hub at the ONE Conference. © Gaurav Sharma, September / October 2025.