Costa Rica’s National Grid Operator Joins ISASecure to Bolster Industrial Cybersecurity — The International Society of Automation

Event summary

Costa Rica’s state-run electricity provider, ICE, has joined ISASecure to adopt ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards for its industrial control systems.
The partnership aims to strengthen OT security maturity across Costa Rica’s energy grid, which includes renewable sources like hydro, geothermal, and solar power.
Key focus areas include network segmentation, access management, and continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure.
ICE is the first Costa Rican company to join ISASecure’s global certification program.

The big picture

This partnership underscores the growing emphasis on industrial cybersecurity in emerging markets, particularly for state-run utilities managing critical infrastructure. As energy grids become more digitized, compliance with global OT security standards like ISA/IEC 62443 is increasingly seen as a necessity rather than an option. ICE’s move aligns with broader trends where national grid operators are prioritizing resilience against cyber threats to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

What we're watching

Regional Expansion: Whether ISASecure can replicate this success in other Latin American markets, where cybersecurity standards remain inconsistent.
Compliance Impact: How Costa Rica’s adoption of ISA/IEC 62443 will influence regional regulatory frameworks for energy sector cybersecurity.
Operational Resilience: The pace at which ICE integrates these standards into its smart grid and electric mobility initiatives, reducing vulnerability to attacks.