In a rapidly digitizing energy sector, the conversation about utility security is no longer confined to firewalls and locked server rooms. Wireless signals—once viewed as a convenience—are now a critical security frontier. As substations, control centers, and renewable energy sites adopt more Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, and IoT-enabled devices, monitoring the radio frequency (RF) spectrum has become essential to safeguarding the grid from both cyber and physical threats.
Closing the Gap Between Wired and Wireless Defenses
For decades, utility security programs—many shaped by the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection standards—focused primarily on wired networks and IT assets. That made sense when cables carried the bulk of operational traffic. But today, according to guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the airwaves around critical infrastructure are just as active, and often less monitored.
Unsecured hotspots, rogue access points, or unapproved industrial IoT radios can slip past cable-centric defenses and create blind spots. These vulnerabilities are not hypothetical—they can be exploited for reconnaissance or intrusion, as incidents in the energy sector have demonstrated. By continuously scanning the RF spectrum, utilities can detect unauthorized wireless activity before it escalates into a breach.
Regulatory Momentum Is Moving Toward Continuous Visibility
The regulatory landscape is catching up to these new realities. In June 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved NERC CIP-015-1, requiring internal network security monitoring within electronic security perimeters. While CIP-015 focuses on wired network telemetry, its intent—continuous, perimeter-wide awareness—logically extends to wireless communications.
Similarly, updates to CIP-005 reinforce the importance of knowing and controlling all access points, including those in the RF domain. Utilities that integrate wireless monitoring into their compliance workflows can demonstrate to auditors that they are proactively managing every communication pathway, not just those on copper or fiber.
Operational Payoffs Beyond Compliance
While regulatory drivers are important, the operational benefits of wireless monitoring can be just as compelling:
- Faster Incident Response: Real-time RF alerts help crews locate suspicious devices immediately, reducing downtime and limiting potential damage.
- Lower Maintenance Costs: Wireless systems are easier to install and reconfigure than wired alternatives, allowing for flexible deployments without expensive rewiring.
- Improved Safety: In hazardous environments, wireless sensors can detect anomalies—like overheating equipment—faster than manual inspections.
- Enhanced Asset Visibility: A living inventory of all wireless emitters prevents “surprise” devices from appearing during outages or upgrades.
These benefits are magnified in renewable energy operations, where solar farms, wind collection points, and remote substations often rely on wireless backhaul. Incorporating these sites into RF monitoring plans ensures that security coverage extends to every corner of a utility’s footprint.
Integrating RF Monitoring Into Existing Security Operations
According to the original report published by Brett Walkenhorst, CTO at Bastille, successful programs don’t just deploy RF sensors—they fold wireless monitoring into the daily rhythm of utility operations. That means:
- Including spectrum scans in routine physical security rounds.
- Sending RF alerts directly to the Security Operations Center (SOC) for ticketing alongside other cyber events.
- Enforcing clear, documented wireless use policies for control rooms and substations, with enforcement verified by RF data rather than employee attestations.
This alignment between wireless situational awareness and existing compliance workflows shortens investigations, strengthens audit evidence, and builds a culture of proactive threat detection.
Looking Ahead: Spectrum Awareness as Standard Practice
As the grid becomes more digitized and distributed, the RF spectrum will only grow busier. Treating it as a monitored domain—on par with wired networks and physical perimeters—will be essential for maintaining resilience. Utilities that adopt continuous wireless monitoring today will be ahead of the curve, both in meeting evolving compliance mandates and in protecting their operations from sophisticated adversaries.
The takeaway is clear: in modern utility security, what’s in the air matters just as much as what’s on the wire. Building RF awareness into daily operations isn’t just a technological upgrade—it’s a strategic necessity.
