May 27, 2025

Cyber Threats Are Moving to the Edge

The New Front Line in Utility Cybersecurity: What Municipal and Cooperative Utilities Need to Know

Cybersecurity used to be primarily about protecting data centers and email inboxes. But today, the threat landscape has shifted—now, the front lines are at the network edge. A recent report found that 30% of cyberattacks now start at the network edge *—targeting things like VPNs, firewalls, and routers.

For municipal and cooperative utilities, that’s a serious red flag. These edge devices are often the first line of defense, especially in systems with remote substations and distributed assets.

If they’re outdated or misconfigured, they become easy targets. And for smaller utilities —where IT teams are lean and resources are stretched—this shift in attack strategy is something not to ignore.

Why the Network Edge Is Now the Front Line
Hackers are getting smarter. Instead of relying on phishing emails or flashy malware, they’re going after the infrastructure that utilities depend on every day. They’re exploiting weak passwords, skipped updates, and aging hardware—things that are all too common in the utility space.

And let’s be honest: many are still running legacy systems. That makes it harder to keep up with evolving threats. But the risks—service disruptions, data breaches, and reputational damage—are just as real for larger utilities.

Thinking Smarter About Cybersecurity
At Trilliant, we work closely with municipal and cooperative utilities to provide the flexibility you need for the unique challenges you face. That’s why cybersecurity is built into everything we do—it’s not an afterthought.

Analytics as a Service: Intelligence with Security Built In
One of the most impactful tools we offer is Analytics as a Service. It’s a cloud-based platform that helps any size utility:

• Detect anomalies in real time
• Prevent non-technical losses
• Stay compliant and protect data integrity

It’s built on trusted industry standards like NIST, ISO, and FedRAMP, and it’s designed to give you visibility across your network. From encrypted data flows to secure multi-tenant architecture, security is layered in from the start.

Why AMI Modernization Matters Too

Modernizing your Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is another critical step. Older meters and endpoints often lack the security features that are needed today. Upgrading to modern AMI systems means encrypted communications, stronger authentication, and centralized monitoring. This not only helps you detect threats faster—but it also shrinks the attack surface hackers can exploit.

What Can Utility Leaders Do Right Now?

Here are a few steps we recommend:

• Audit your edge devices – Are your VPNs, routers, and firewalls up to date?
• Strengthen credentials – Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
• Update your AMI and/or invest in smart analytics – Trilliant can help you spot issues before they become problems.
• Talk to your IT team – Or if you are the IT team, make cybersecurity a top priority.

Cyber threats aren’t going away—but with the right tools and mindset are necessary to stay ahead of problems.

At Trilliant, we’re here to future-proof your utility or smart city in a connected world.

Contact us today, and let’s talk about how we can support your utility’s cybersecurity journey.

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* A 2025 report by Sophos’ Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service