FEATURE: SMART METERS
As smart meters become the intelligent backbone of modern energy infrastructure, the focus on data security intensifies. While protecting data in transit has been a priority, Katja Hakoneva, Product Manager at Tuxera, argues that the security of data stored locally on these devices is a critical and often overlooked area.
Smart meters are fast becoming the intelligence layer of modern energy infrastructure. These devices gather real-time usage data, support grid management, enable demand response, and contribute to national decarbonisation targets. But while attention has largely focused on protecting the transmission of this data, the security of the data stored locally remains under-addressed.
Each smart meter holds sensitive logs of energy usage, firmware records, and grid activity stored in embedded flash memory. These devices are deployed in the field for up to 15 to 20 years, exposed to both physical threats and remote exploitation. If local storage is compromised whether by physical tampering, firmware manipulation, or latent memory failures, it can lead to serious implications, including billing errors, compliance violations, and in extreme cases, broader grid instability.
Embedded storage emerges as the next frontier for smart meter security
24 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www. intelligentcio. com