Upstream oil and gas is the part of the energy industry focused on locating and extracting hydrocarbons. It includes exploration and production activities at sites such as wellheads and offshore platforms, along with systems that gather and monitor output.
These operations often rely on operational technology and communications links connecting remote field equipment to control centers. In cyber security, those connections can enable monitoring and maintenance but also expand the attack surface. Defenders use measures such as restricting remote access, segmenting networks, and planning for safe recovery to protect production systems without disrupting safety or availability.