Who will keep the lights on? Expertise and inclusion in cyber security visions of future energy systems

Abstract

Increasing internet connectivity in smart energy systems poses serious cyber security concerns. Using a lens of “sociotechnical imaginaries”, we explored how experts envision the future(s) of cyber security governance in the energy sector. The three imaginaries identified present cyber security issues as a matter of design, as a support function, and as public trust. We argue that while each vision prioritises a different set of actions, none of them adequately considers the interplay between inclusivity and expertise. By exploring what each of these potential futures enables, hinders, or assumes, as well as how they compete or complement each other, we derive a number of recommendations to ensure cyber security expertise becomes more inclusive, democratic and participatory. The paper contributes to energy social science debates by furthering the understanding of how energy experts conceptualise future computing systems for security and sustainability.