Ransome-Kuti calls for AI to strengthen critical infrastructure cybersecurity

 

As cyber threats increasingly target power grids, distributed energy resources (DERs), water systems and other essential infrastructure, cybersecurity analyst and researcher Mr Olutoye Ransome-Kuti has called for wider adoption of artificial intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.

Ransome-Kuti said intelligent cybersecurity systems could play a critical role in detecting, preventing and mitigating increasingly sophisticated cyber threats targeting modern cyber-physical systems.

According to him, the rapid digitisation of critical infrastructure has significantly expanded the cyber threat landscape, making proactive and adaptive security measures more important than ever.

He explained that his work focuses on developing practical AI-based cybersecurity solutions capable of protecting modern cyber-physical systems while supporting sustainable infrastructure development.

Based in Southern California, Ransome-Kuti’s research sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure resilience, with particular emphasis on securing distributed energy resources, virtual power plants and operational technology environments.

He noted that unlike traditional information technology systems, cyberattacks on distributed energy resources can have immediate physical consequences.

“Unlike traditional IT systems, distributed energy resources (DERs) and virtual power plants (VPPs) are cyber-physical systems, meaning a cyberattack can disrupt not only data but also electricity generation, grid stability and critical infrastructure operations.

“Their reliance on thousands of interconnected devices significantly expands the attack surface.

“I believe AI-driven threat detection can help identify anomalies and emerging attacks in real time, improving the security, resilience and reliability of modern energy systems.”

Recent cyber incidents affecting critical infrastructure around the world have highlighted the growing need to strengthen operational technology security as governments, utilities and technology providers accelerate the deployment of connected energy systems.

Ransome-Kuti currently serves as a Cybersecurity Analyst with HomeRES.ai, where he contributes to cybersecurity initiatives supporting distributed energy resource management technologies, including vulnerability assessments and operational security practices designed to strengthen the resilience of distributed energy systems.

He is also a DERMS Software and Platforms Fellow with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), where he is gaining practical experience with software platforms supporting the modernization of electric grids and distributed energy resources.

With more than eight years of professional experience spanning application support, software development, technical support and project management, he believes his multidisciplinary background has shaped the way he approaches cybersecurity challenges within complex operational environments.

“My multidisciplinary background has taught me to look beyond isolated technical issues and understand how systems interact.

“Experience in application support and software development strengthened my troubleshooting, root cause analysis and cross-functional collaboration skills, while cybersecurity has added a risk-based perspective.

“When approaching cyber-physical systems, I focus on identifying the underlying cause of an incident, assessing its potential operational impact and developing solutions that improve both system resilience and security.”

He emphasized that operational technology environments require security strategies specifically designed for systems where cyber incidents can directly affect physical infrastructure.

According to the cybersecurity analyst, artificial intelligence can establish a baseline of normal user and device behavior, allowing organizations to detect unusual access patterns, unauthorized configuration changes and abnormal command sequences far more quickly than traditional monitoring methods.

He said earlier detection enables organizations to respond more rapidly, reduce operational disruption and improve the overall resilience of critical infrastructure.

Ransome-Kuti also highlighted the growing role of AI in modern incident response while stressing that human expertise remains indispensable.

“AI will play a transformative role in the next generation of incident response by enabling continuous monitoring, real-time anomaly detection, automated threat prioritization and faster response to cyber incidents.

“However, AI should augment—not replace—human expertise.

“For critical infrastructure, the most resilient approach is a human-in-the-loop model where AI enhances analysts’ capabilities while experienced cybersecurity professionals make the final operational decisions.”

Looking ahead, he envisions an AI-powered electric grid capable of continuously monitoring itself, identifying cyber threats in real time and responding rapidly to minimize operational disruptions.

According to him, achieving that vision will require cybersecurity to be integrated into grid design from the outset, broader adoption of AI-driven monitoring technologies, stronger collaboration among utilities, technology providers and policymakers, and continued investment in professionals with expertise spanning both cybersecurity and energy systems.

“Cybersecurity will ultimately determine how resilient our future energy systems become. My goal is to help ensure those systems are designed to be secure from the beginning rather than protected only after vulnerabilities emerge. Through research, technology innovation and industry collaboration, I hope to contribute to a future where intelligent infrastructure is both sustainable and secure.”

Ransome-Kuti is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration in Applied Computer Science at Westcliff University, where his research focuses on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, adversarial reasoning, operational technology security, incident response and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Beyond his research, he serves as a judge for science, engineering and technology competitions organized by organizations including the National Science Teaching Association, Toshiba ExploraVision, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), DECA, SARSEF, the Ohio Academy of Science, and the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair.