Copyright thediplomat
“In a global context defined by interconnectivity, accelerated digitalization, and unprecedented security challenges, energy systems have become strategic targets. This is not only my perspective — it is shared by all my colleagues in the energy sector. For DEER, the largest distribution operator in Romania, with more than 200,000 kilometers of networks and 4 million users, cybersecurity is not just a technological component, but an integral part of our mission to protect national critical infrastructure and ensure a safe and continuous distribution service,” stated Mihaela Suciu, CEO of Distributie Energie Electrica Romania (DEER), during the opening of the Cybersecurity in Energy Forum. “The resilience of energy networks is a topic that we at DEER feel very close to us — not only as professionals, but also as individuals who, over the last year, faced yet another major challenge. Some time ago, our company was the target of a complex cyber-attack. It was a moment of tension — there is no better word to describe the moment we realized that we were once again under attack. But what followed was an incredible demonstration of professionalism and solidarity. Our IT team, supported by cybersecurity experts, partners, and specialized institutions, managed to restore the systems in a reasonable timeframe, protect the data, and maintain operational continuity. We have learned, perhaps more than ever, that resilience is not built only through technology, but through dedicated people — calm in times of crisis and united by the same mission. Of course, the emotions were there — some colleagues said they felt more adrenaline than during a football match. But looking back, it was a valuable lesson and proof that when you have a united team, you can turn a crisis into a turning point for the better. In cybersecurity, resilience means rising quickly when challenged, learning, adapting, and moving forward — stronger every time.”
