ELES joins ENCS to bolster cyber defences for power grids
Slovenia's transmission system operator, ELES, has joined the European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) as a member, in a move aimed at strengthening collective cyber-defence measures across Europe's electricity grid.
Network membership
ELES will have access to threat intelligence, specialist training, and technical expertise contributed by ENCS members. The collaboration is designed to support ELES's abilities to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents targeting high-voltage networks within Slovenia and potentially affecting wider European power infrastructure.
The partnership was formalised at a time when cyber threats toward electricity networks are said to be growing in frequency and sophistication. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has reported an expanding range of attack vectors, with an emphasis on operational technology (OT) that controls critical components of the grid.
Regional resilience
Interconnected European grids are seen as increasingly vulnerable, especially as both nation-state cyber activities and the proliferation of consumer-connected devices expand the attack surface. Grid operators are facing mounting pressure to reinforce defences and cooperate across borders to address and contain risks.
ENCS, based in The Hague, works with stakeholders from across Europe's energy sector. The inclusion of ELES, responsible for the stability of Slovenia's high-voltage network, is expected to add regional expertise and foster stronger, shared strategies against emerging threats.
"Europe's power systems are only as strong as their weakest link," said Anjos Nijk, Managing Director, ENCS. "ELES's new membership strengthens our joint defences and brings valuable regional expertise to the table. As Slovenia's grid underpins stability across Central Europe, their participation will help drive the shared strategies and capabilities needed to counter evolving cyber threats."
Joint priorities
Key aims of the collaboration include the acceleration of knowledge-sharing, joint training across member organisations, and coordinated responses to attacks on critical infrastructure. ELES's participation will also facilitate broader information sharing and alignment on best practices for OT security.
According to ENISA's Threat Landscape 2025 report, the risk environment for operators of electricity networks is evolving rapidly. Threat actors now target OT systems with greater technical sophistication, and incidents are taking place with increasing regularity on both national and cross-border scales.
Operational insight
ELES will contribute its operational experience from the Slovenian power grid to the wider ENCS community, while benefiting from expertise and learnings developed by other European operators.
Improving resilience across Europe's energy system depends on such joint strategies, as no single operator can address all challenges alone, given the interconnected nature of modern electricity grids.
"Grid cybersecurity is a team effort," added Gorazd Rolih, SOC Manager at ELES. "Joining ENCS allows us to both contribute to and benefit from Europe-wide collaboration, sharing intelligence, best practices and operational insights that make every member stronger. Together, we look forward to building the resilience our energy systems needs for the future."
