Energy providers are among the most important operators of critical infrastructures (CRITIS). A supply failure has far-reaching consequences for the economy and consumers. The primary goal is to ensure a secure and continuous supply, smooth operation, and the protection of the environment and people.

Why security is important for energy providers

Energy providers have complex, interconnected infrastructures and consist of many different facilities, which can also be located in remote areas, such as offshore wind farms. This structure makes them more vulnerable to acts of sabotage, vandalism, and cyberattacks.

Supply security bottlenecks, fines, or issues with regulatory compliance are just some of the potential risks. Additionally, there is the issue of data security and the responsibility to protect the environment and people. This necessitates the demarcation of particularly sensitive areas. Comprehensive security strategies are important as they help reduce the risk of virtual and physical attacks, all with the aim of maintaining availability, integrity, and confidentiality.

Providers of the energy industry *

Electrical supply:

  • Erzeugung
  • Übertragung
  • Verteilung von Strom

Gas supply:

  • Promotion
  • Transport
  • Fuel and heating

Petroleum and oil supply:

  • Crude oil production
  • Product manufacturing
  • Oil transport
  • Fuel and heating oil supply

District heating supply:

  • Generation
  • Distribution of district heating

Source: Classification of sectors and critical services according to the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, as of July 20

How access control supports the diverse requirements

As a long-standing partner and provider of security and access control solutions, Interflex understands the specific requirements of the energy sector. We support you in advance by evaluating your existing security concept and selecting appropriate physical security measures – with the goal of implementing a robust, reliable access control system that meets your security goals and specific requirements.

High Security Standards

Energy providers have areas with varying security levels, such as control rooms, substations, production areas, or extraction facilities. The priority is a solution that only allows access to authorized persons with the appropriate permissions.

Regulatory Requirements

The energy sector is subject to strict national and international regulations, such as the KRITIS regulations, environmental requirements like the Major Accidents Ordinance, requirements from the IT Security Catalog, or industry-specific standards (B3S) for facilities and district heating networks. An access control system should help comply with the applicable regulations and requirements.

Safety of Employees, Suppliers, and Visitors

Safety risks also arise from accidents and negligent actions. By controlling access to certain areas, checking IDs at access points, and registering and instructing visitors and suppliers, activities on the premises can be monitored, and regulatory requirements, such as documenting safety instructions, can be met.

Data Security

Operational and customer data are valuable assets and attractive targets for attacks. Access control helps restrict access to this data and maintain transparent compliance control. Additionally, such a system should handle employee data in compliance with data protection regulations.

Emergency Management

The protection of people and the environment is essential, especially in nuclear power plants or chemical facilities. In addition to controlled access for qualified personnel, connecting to an access control system can quickly and efficiently help initiate targeted measures in the event of an evacuation.

Interflex Access Control:
Flexibility and Security for All Applications

Zutrittkontrolle von Interflex: Schutz vor Sabotage, Unfällen und unbefugtem Zutritt in Kraftwerken

Protection Against Sabotage, Accidents, and Unauthorized Access in Power Plants

Locations: Power plants (nuclear, fossil, renewable energy generation)

Suitable Solutions:

  • Multi-factor authentication with modern ID methods (LEGIC advant, Mifare DESFire EV3), key app on the smartphone (3-pass authentication), and PIN codes at access terminals.
  • Biometric solutions ranging from fingerprint 2D/3D verification to facial, iris, and hand vein recognition.
  • Evacuation management with a dynamic evacuation list for a quick real-time overview of the people to be evacuated.

Your Benefits:

  • By effectively preventing or hindering access by unauthorized persons, you reduce your risk of sabotage, damage, and potential liability issues.
  • At the same time, you comply with your security regulations. Accidents are effectively avoided, and your personnel are protected when only trained staff gain access to particularly secure areas.
  • In the event of an evacuation, you also ensure the protection of your personnel and enable targeted, efficient deployment of firefighting forces.
Learn more!
Zutrittkontrolle von Interflex: Schutz vor Stromausfällen oder Beschädigungen in Umspannwerken und Schaltanlagen

Protection Against Power Outages or Damage in Substations and Switchgear

Locations: Substations and switchgear (for the distribution and transmission of energy)

Suitable Solutions:

  • Invitation portal for external companies to securely manage access rights for external companies and suppliers, such as service technicians for maintenance and repairs.
  • Multi-level approval workflows: secure, location- and time-limited rights assignment for authorized external and company personnel.

Your Benefits:

  • Relieve your security organization with a high degree of automation in granting access rights, especially if your critical facilities are managed or monitored decentrally.
  • Through seamless documentation in rights management, you are always able to provide information when rights assignments are reviewed as part of an audit.
  • In the event of a security incident, you can quickly trace who received rights, when, and for what purpose. This allows you to identify security gaps in physical security for the future and effectively comply with new security requirements.
Learn more!
Zutrittkontrolle von Interflex: Schutz von sensiblen Daten und IT-Infrastrukturen in Bürogebäude und Rechenzentren

Protection of Sensitive Data and IT Infrastructures in Office Buildings and Data Centers

Locations: Office buildings and data centers

Suitable Solutions:

  • Scalable system IF-6040: Definition and cross-organizational control of access rights, access profiles, and room zones. Secure logging and monitoring of all events of the access control system in one system, such as door status monitoring and anti-passback.
  • Encrypted, certificate-based PKI communication with Interflex’s own certificates or with customer-specific encryption.
  • Visitor management with the IF-6040: Standardized process from invitation, reception, identity verification to safety instructions and documentation of visits.

Your Benefits:

  • A flexible and adaptable security solution allows you to respond promptly to changing security requirements or personnel needs.
  • The high level of encryption enables you to comply with new security requirements.
  • Traceability in the event of a security incident and during audit checks is simplified when there is seamless documentation of access rights assignments or external visits.
Learn more!

Secure Your Business:
5 Steps to a Reliable Access Control System

1
Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of your security requirements and existing systems

2
Planning

Development of a tailored security concept

3
Installation

Installation and configuration of the relevant components

4
Handover

Training for safe handling of your system

5
Support

Regular and reliable service and support

That’s why customers choose Interflex:

“With Interflex, we are able to implement our high security requirements in terms of access control and time recording.”

Heinrich Luttmann, Head of Process and System Management, Public Relations

Zutrittskontrolle von Interflex beim Unternehmen LTB Leitungsbau

Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Industry

The energy industry comprises a variety of actors: producers of electricity or gas, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric plants, providers of heat and coal supply, (nuclear) power plant operators, grid operators, utility companies, plant manufacturers, energy traders, and service providers who store or transmit energy through distribution networks, including municipal utilities, local substations, and city utilities.

Access control ensures that only authorized personnel have access to power plants such as coal and gas facilities, or renewable energy systems like solar and wind farms. It also controls access to substations where energy-generating facilities are monitored and controlled. These areas include control rooms where these facilities are overseen and managed.

Access control can also be used where sensitive and confidential information or critical systems need protection, such as data centers or administrative buildings dealing with customer data.

 Energy suppliers must consider a variety of potential risks when creating a security concept. This includes protecting physical facilities from sabotage, theft, and vandalism. Additionally, the increasing interconnection of security systems brings the risk of cyberattacks. Hackers could attempt to disrupt operations and steal sensitive customer data.

Other risks that can disrupt operations include attacks on facilities and power grids, natural disasters, as well as accidents and security breaches. These can lead to injuries to employees and third parties or environmental pollution.

Even after a nuclear power plant is shut down, the operator is still subject to certain legal and regulatory requirements. Implementing access control can ensure the safety and security of a decommissioned nuclear power plant and compliance with regulations and guidelines. This helps minimize security risks and maintain the integrity of the facility.

Access control helps ensure compliance with regulations, particularly regarding the protection of the facility and the prevention of environmental pollution. Some parts of the facility may still contain radioactive materials or hazardous chemicals. Therefore, access to these areas must be strictly controlled to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the site.

Do you have any questions? We are happy to help you!

+49 711 1322 – 0

interflex.info@allegion.com

To reach the appropriate contact person at Interflex, please select the suitable contact method. If you are already a customer, kindly use the Contact form ”I am an Interflex customer” and get in touch with the desired department via email.

If you haven’t had any previous interactions with Interflex but are interested in our solutions, we would be pleased to receive your inquiry through the Contact form ”I am interested in becoming a customer” We will endeavor to respond to you promptly.

Do you have a question, require information, or wish to share feedback with us? Please select the relevant department for your inquiry:

Service:

For technical questions and error reports, please send an email to:

interflex.support@allegion.com

Sales:

For sales inquiries, please send an email to:

interflex.sales@allegion.com

Feedbackmanagement:

Would you like to provide us with feedback? Please feel free to send us an email to:

interflex.feedback@allegion.com