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Utilities

Physical Isolation for Power Grid and Utility SCADA

Utility networks bridge physical infrastructure and digital control. When those control paths are compromised, the consequences extend far beyond data loss to affect millions of people who depend on essential services.

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Utilities

When utility control systems are reachable from corporate networks or the internet, every software vulnerability becomes a potential service disruption affecting millions of people.

100%

SCADA path isolation from corporate IT

Zero

Persistent remote access to control systems

6

Control modules deployed per utility zone

Full

NIS2 and NERC CIP compliance evidence

The Challenge

Utility control systems face converging threats.

IT/OT Convergence

Smart grid modernisation creates network paths between corporate IT and operational technology that attackers traverse to reach control systems.

Legacy SCADA Systems

Decades-old SCADA and RTU equipment lacks modern security capabilities and cannot be patched without risking operational disruption.

Smart Meter Attack Surface

Advanced metering infrastructure creates millions of network endpoints that expand the attack surface into previously isolated distribution networks.

The Scenario

Scenario: Smart Grid Supply Chain Attack

Attackers compromise a firmware update server for smart meter head-end systems. The malicious update propagates to distribution management systems through the AMI network, eventually reaching SCADA workstations via shared network segments. Operators lose visibility into distribution grid status across an entire region. Restoration takes nine days because backup SCADA configurations were stored on network-attached infrastructure that was also compromised. With Firevault Control, the AMI network is physically separated from SCADA systems. Backup configurations reside in air-gapped storage requiring multi-party authorisation. The compromised firmware cannot traverse into control systems because the network path does not exist.

"Our penetration test showed that from a compromised smart meter head-end, there were only three hops to the SCADA master. Three hops between a meter and the ability to open breakers across the distribution network."

Solution Blueprint

Physical governance for utility control systems.

Utility operators gain physical control over every network path between IT, OT, and AMI systems. Smart grid modernisation proceeds without creating the converged attack surfaces that threaten operational continuity. Recovery from even the most sophisticated attacks is guaranteed through air-gapped configuration archives.

  • Physical separation between IT, OT, and AMI network zones
  • Multi-party authorisation for all cross-zone operations
  • Emergency severance capability for active threat containment
  • Out-of-band management independent of utility communications
  • Continuous compliance evidence for NIS2 and NERC CIP
  • Air-gapped disaster recovery for total compromise restoration
Fracture

Fracture, Emergency Grid Severance

Module 1 of 4

Physically disconnects grid segments during active threats or cascading failures. When a compromise is detected in one zone, Fracture severs the network paths to prevent lateral movement into adjacent control systems or substations.

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Key Capabilities

Sovereign Grid Data

All utility control data remains within the agreed jurisdiction in NATO-approved Firevault Bunkers, ensuring sovereign control over national energy infrastructure data.

Multi-Party Control

Critical operations require authorisation from both control room operators and security teams, preventing unilateral access to grid control systems.

Regulatory Evidence

Automated compliance logging generates continuous evidence for NIS2, NERC CIP, and Ofgem security requirements.

Cellular Failover

Out-of-band management ensures control plane access even when primary utility communications networks are compromised.

Tamper-Proof Logging

Every access, configuration change, and control command is recorded in immutable logs on physically separate infrastructure.

Air-Gapped Recovery

Physically disconnected backup copies of all grid configurations ensure restoration capability during total compromise scenarios.

Demo to Live

Adoption Guide

Step 1

Utility Network Assessment

Map all network paths between corporate IT, SCADA, AMI, and distribution management systems to identify convergence points and persistent connections.

Step 2

Zone Architecture Design

Design physically separated zones aligned to your utility operations with appropriate Control modules at each boundary.

Step 3

Non-Production Pilot

Deploy in a test environment mirroring your SCADA architecture with full zone separation, multi-party authorisation, and compliance logging.

Step 4

Operational Deployment

Full deployment across utility infrastructure with air-gapped recovery, continuous compliance evidence, and 24/7 out-of-band management.

Step 1

Utility Network Assessment

Map all network paths between corporate IT, SCADA, AMI, and distribution management systems to identify convergence points and persistent connections.

Step 2

Zone Architecture Design

Design physically separated zones aligned to your utility operations with appropriate Control modules at each boundary.

Step 3

Non-Production Pilot

Deploy in a test environment mirroring your SCADA architecture with full zone separation, multi-party authorisation, and compliance logging.

Step 4

Operational Deployment

Full deployment across utility infrastructure with air-gapped recovery, continuous compliance evidence, and 24/7 out-of-band management.

Commercial Advantage

Win Business, Earn Trust, and Build Reputation with Butterfly

Butterfly is an operational model that helps organisations structure sensitive data to close deals faster, strengthen client relationships, and demonstrate the governance maturity that wins enterprise contracts.

Built on the VPPP framework (Vault, Policy, Permissions, Purpose), Butterfly maps your sensitive data and assigns dedicated Vaults by role, relationship, and purpose, turning data stewardship into a competitive advantage.

Deal Readiness

Governed materials ready to share with confidence

Client Trust

Demonstrate stewardship that earns loyalty

Board Confidence

Clear governance that inspires stakeholders

Enterprise Scale

Structure data governance across your organisation

Butterfly deployment model

Who Uses Butterfly?

  • Sales Teams

    Secure client proposals, pricing, and commercial intelligence

  • Service Providers

    Exchange sensitive documents with clients through governed Vaults

  • Businesses

    Protect strategic plans, IP, and competitive intelligence

  • Family Offices

    Structure data governance across principals, staff, and advisors

Questions

Frequently Asked

Ready to take the next step?

See how Control can govern your data paths with physical enforcement no software exploit can bypass.

Utilities blueprint - PoC

Speak to the team to organise a PoC

Walk through your blueprint with the Firevault team and scope a proof of concept on your estate. 30 minutes, no sales pitch.

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