Cyber Threats and Vulnerability Mapping in the Energy Sector: Laying the Groundwork for Smart Grid Resilience
Energy security is currently one of the most important topics worldwide. Maintaining a reliable energy supply is one of the biggest challenges in security science. Additionally, defending energy infrastructure from cyberattacks is an ongoing issue. Understanding the vulnerabilities of energy infrastructure, especially the Smart Grid, which relies on information technology and communications, is a significant advantage. Understanding which system vulnerabilities lead to specific cyber threats presents a significant opportunity, enhancing the defence of energy infrastructure. This paper uses a systematic literature review to identify the most common cyber threat and Smart Grid vulnerability mentioned and researched in the literature from 2018 to 2025. This paper also aims to map the vulnerabilities that allow for cyber threats to occur, with the idea that if we know what causes a weak spot, we can effectively prevent it. Identifying specific weaknesses that could lead to cyber threats allows us to mitigate these dangers by addressing and correcting those vulnerabilities.