InfraShield executive to brief OEUK on critical infrastructure cyber risks

InfraShield Vice President of Infrastructure Cybersecurity Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides will speak at Offshore Energies UK’s Security Series webinar on July 2 as UK officials warn of a rising hostile threat environment for critical national infrastructure. The event will focus on AI-driven risk, remote operations, and why cyber planning must be built into critical infrastructure from the start.

Why it matters: - UK critical national infrastructure is facing a more hostile cyber threat environment, with the National Cyber Security Centre tracking more than 200 incidents over the past year. - About three-quarters of those incidents were attributed to hostile state actors. - The webinar is aimed at operators that manage energy and other essential systems where remote operations, cyber hygiene and organizational culture can affect safety and resilience.

What happened: - InfraShield Vice President of Infrastructure Cybersecurity Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides will speak at Offshore Energies UK’s Security Series webinar on Thursday, July 2. - The session is part of OEUK’s Security Series and will be hosted by OEUK Health and Safety Manager Graham Skinner. - McAndrew-Benavides will focus on how AI, geopolitical discord and evolving cyber threats are reshaping security requirements for critical infrastructure operators globally.

The details: - The webinar will cover the evolving offshore energy regulatory landscape. - The discussion will examine the private sector’s role in securing critical infrastructure in the UK and globally. - The event will also address how organizational culture, human behavior and cyber hygiene help protect energy facilities. - McAndrew-Benavides will brief attendees on securing remote operations amid rapid AI advancement and escalating geopolitical threats. - She will argue that cybersecurity should be integrated into operational planning from the outset, rather than handled as a compliance checkbox after systems are deployed. - McAndrew-Benavides previously served at U.S. Cyber Command, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. - InfraShield is expanding across the UK, Europe and the Middle East with nuclear-grade operational technology cybersecurity products and advisory services for complex industrial environments. - InfraShield’s participation in OEUK’s Security Series builds on its collaboration with energy operators on emerging cyber and operational risks. - The event announcement directs interested attendees to more information here.

Between the lines: - The timing of the webinar lines up with a broader warning that critical infrastructure defenders are under sustained pressure from state-linked and other advanced actors. - McAndrew-Benavides’ background in U.S. defense, intelligence and nuclear regulation signals that the discussion will emphasize operational security, not just policy compliance. - InfraShield is positioning itself as a cross-sector cybersecurity partner for operators that need to secure both IT and OT environments.

What's next: - OEUK’s virtual event is set for July 2. - Attendees are expected to hear practical guidance on remote operations security and cross-industry resilience strategies. - InfraShield is likely to continue using industry forums to expand its work with energy and critical infrastructure operators.

The bottom line: - The webinar underscores a growing shift in critical infrastructure security: cyber defense now has to be built into operations, not bolted on after deployment.