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Long abstract:

With the advancing digitalization of critical infrastructure, the importance of addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities becomes increasingly apparent. Specifically, within the context of smart grid development, cybersecurity emerges as a paramount concern for transmission and distribution operators, as well as end-users alike. Notably, events such as the December 2015 Ukraine power blackout (Cyber Law, 2015) serve as an poignant reminders of the real and pressing threats posed by cyber attacks on power grids. More recently, incidents like the May 2023 attack on Danish energy infrastructure (Sector CERT, 2023) further underscore the urgency of bolstering cybersecurity measures.

Given Norway’s significant reliance on electrical energy and its aspirations for developing a robust smart grid for of the future, this paper seeks to explore how various experts articulate the concepts of professional expertise, values, and norms within the domain of smart grid cybersecurity. Drawing upon the STS repertoire and employing methodology that combines document analysis with semi-structured interviews with cybersecurity specialists in the energy sector of Norway, this study delves into the intricate negotiation of securing the fragile digital infrastructure through the lens of cybersecurity expertise as an everyday practice.

In its exploration, the paper endeavors to achieve two primary objectives. Firstly, it aims to unpack the contestations surrounding the concept of smart grid cybersecurity by elucidating the diverse meanings, roles, rules, and norms associated with it. Secondly, the analysis seeks to scrutinize the varied articulations of smart grid cybersecurity concepts among different groups of experts in Norway. Through this comprehensive examination, the study endeavors to provide insights into the complex landscape of smart grid cybersecurity, shedding light on the nuances of expert discourse and practice in addressing this critical aspect of energy infrastructure modernization.