Introduction: Protecting the UK’s Energy Lifeline
National Gas, the UK’s sole operator of the National Transmission System, manages 5,000 miles of high-pressure gas pipelines. With 75% of the nation’s winter electricity generated from gas and 20 million homes reliant on its infrastructure, cybersecurity isn’t just a priority—it’s a national necessity. As cyber threats escalate, National Gas has partnered with Palo Alto Networks to safeguard its operations during a major cloud migration.
Why Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Matters
“We’re a prime target for civil disobedience,” admits Darren Curley, National Gas’s CTO. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) ranks the energy sector as the most vulnerable to cyberattacks, with National Gas leading the list. This partnership with Palo Alto Networks ensures resilience against threats that could disrupt energy flows and national stability.
Cloud Migration Challenges and Solutions
Transitioning to the cloud while maintaining operational continuity required a strategic approach. National Gas chose Google Cloud Platform for major applications and Microsoft Azure for legacy systems. Palo Alto Networks’ full-stack security solutions—including Prisma Cloud and network protection—ensured a seamless migration without compromising gas flow operations.
Key Benefits of Cloud Adoption
- Agility: Infrastructure as code (IaC) improves consistency and deployment speed.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduced data center costs and lower operational overheads.
- Scalability: Cloud-native architecture supports future growth and AI-driven security enhancements.
Architecture 2.0: The Future of Secure Cloud Operations
National Gas is now building a cloud-agnostic architecture 2.0, leveraging SaaS and AI to expand endpoint security beyond Microsoft’s XDR. While retaining legacy systems, the organization is integrating advanced tools like Google’s Wiz and Palo Alto’s SASE edge technologies for geopolitical flexibility.
Protecting the Supply Chain
Curley emphasizes a system-wide review of processes and risk profiles. Services in IBM Cloud are repatriated to on-premises instances, while managed enterprise browsers and DLP tools secure vendor interactions. Palo Alto’s unique testing framework ensures configurations mirror National Gas’s environment, minimizing vulnerabilities during updates.
Conclusion: A Model for Cyber Resilience
National Gas’s collaboration with Palo Alto Networks sets a benchmark for securing critical infrastructure. By balancing cloud innovation with robust security, the organization has completed 42 successful transitions across Europe—uniquely on time and budget. As cyber threats evolve, this partnership ensures the UK’s energy lifeline remains protected.
Call to Action
Explore how your organization can adopt similar strategies for cloud security. Contact us to learn more about Palo Alto Networks’ solutions for critical infrastructure.
