Panasonic : Launches World’s First*1 Cybersecurity Monitoring Trial for Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) | #hacking | #cybersecurity | #infosec | #comptia | #pentest | #ransomware

In recent years, the adoption of renewable energy has accelerated as part of decarbonization efforts. To address the inherent variability of renewable energy generation, power generation, transmission and distribution, and consumer-side facilities have become more sophisticated and more networked. While these advancements have improved operational efficiency and flexibility, the growing number of connection points for distributed energy resources and control systems has expanded the attack surface, increasing the risk of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
There have been reported cases in Japan and overseas where unauthorized external access to solar power plants was detected, as well as incidents involving lateral movement attacks and operational disruptions. In response, the importance of cybersecurity measures has become widely recognized, and initiatives such as the introduction of cybersecurity monitoring at solar power plants have already begun.
Conventional perimeter-based security measures*², such as firewalls, are increasingly insufficient to address threats like unauthorized access to internal networks or advanced attacks that impersonate legitimate devices. As a result, multilayered defense strategies-that include continuous monitoring of communications and control behavior to enable early anomaly detection and prompt response-are becoming ever more critical.
Grid-scale BESS have more controllable functions than solar power plants, including charge/discharge control and output regulation. If exploited through cyberattacks, the impact could extend beyond a single facility to disrupt the balance of electricity supply and demand and affect distribution networks, thereby impacting broader social infrastructure. For this reason, cybersecurity measures for grid-scale BESS require an especially high level of reliability and effectiveness.
Against this backdrop, it is essential to establish a highly effective cybersecurity monitoring solution capable of reliably addressing the diverse cyber threats that may arise in commercial environments.

Figure 1: Validation of Effectiveness through Deployment of the Cybersecurity Monitoring Solution Developed by Panasonic HD and PSTC at a Grid-Scale BESS (Demonstration Site) Involving ITOCHU Corporation

Figure 2: System configuration combining signature-based detection and threat detection specialized for power-control communications

In this demonstration test, a cybersecurity monitoring solution developed by Panasonic HD and PSTC-combining signature-based detection of known cyberattacks with threat detection specialized for power control communications-will be deployed at a grid-scale BESS facility in Japan to verify its effectiveness. Because normal operation would not generate sufficient detectable incidents within the limited demonstration period, proactive simulated cyberattack exercises will be conducted to enable intensive evaluation.

By directly connecting to the internal network of the facility, simulated anomalies originating inside the facility/network will be generated, such as unauthorized device connections and tampering with control parameters.

Using facility-related information, simulations will model unauthorized external access and advanced attack techniques originating from outside the facility.

Based on data obtained through these simulated attacks, the detection performance and operational effectiveness of the cybersecurity monitoring solution will be comprehensively evaluated.
Unlike conventional IT-focused cybersecurity solutions, the monitoring technology deployed in this demonstration incorporates detection logic specifically designed for power-control communications used in grid-scale BESS, including protocols and command behaviors unique to energy management systems. Because BESS facilities are directly connected to the power grid and require strict stability and safety management, conducting live cybersecurity validation in such environments presents significant technical and operational challenges. By integrating signature-based detection with behavior analysis optimized for power-control traffic-and validating it under conditions representative of actual grid operations-this initiative establishes a new benchmark for cybersecurity assurance in mission-critical energy infrastructure.
Notably, this initiative represents the world’s first*¹ demonstration of cybersecurity monitoring for grid-scale BESS under conditions representative of actual grid operations. For security reasons, the location and detailed specifications of the demonstration facility have not been disclosed.

Positioning the convergence of energy and cybersecurity as a strategic priority, Panasonic HD aims to expand its role in safeguarding next-generation energy infrastructure amid accelerating digitalization and decentralization of power systems. As grid-scale storage, renewable integration, and distributed energy resources continue to evolve, cybersecurity resilience will become a fundamental requirement for stable energy operations. Building on the insights gained from this demonstration, Panasonic will further develop integrated energy-security solutions and strengthen partnerships across the energy ecosystem, contributing to the realization of secure, intelligent, and sustainable power networks.
Panasonic HD, PSTC, and ITOCHU will leverage insights gained from this demonstration to further strengthen cybersecurity measures in the social infrastructure sector, including grid-scale BESS. The results will also be used to support compliance with industry guidelines and relevant standards, thereby contributing to the realization of safe, secure, and resilient social infrastructure.

• Panasonic Holdings Corporation

  Headquarters: Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
  Representative: Yuki Kusumi
  Business Description: Provides a broad range of products and solutions that support everyday life and business operations.

• Panasonic Solution Technologies Co., Ltd.

  Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
  Representative: Kazuyoshi Ito
  Business Description: Delivers comprehensive solutions centered on ICT and AI, combined with on-site expertise, supporting manufacturing and industrial digital transformation, flexible workstyles, human resource development, intellectual property utilization, and IT infrastructure.

*1 World’s first demonstration of cybersecurity monitoring for grid-scale BESS conducted under conditions representative of actual grid operations, based on Panasonic HD’s internal research as of February 16, 2026.

*2 A conventional security approach primarily focused on controlling communications at network boundaries.