The Crisis No One Wants to Admit
A 2023 Deloitte report found that 45% of oil & gas operational technology (OT) systems still run Windows 7 or older. These systems control:
- Pipeline pressure valves
- Refinery distillation units
- Offshore drilling controls
Yet, none of them have TPM 2.0—the hardware-based security module that Windows 11 requires.
Windows 11’s Lifeline for Energy Companies
A. TPM 2.0 + Secured-Core: The Only Way to Stop Ransomware
- BlackByte, the ransomware that hit the Port of Lisbon, cannot execute on Windows 11 Secured-Core PCs.
- Firmware attacks (like Thunderspy) are physically blocked by TPM 2.0.
- Essential for SCADA system ransomware protection.
B. Zero Trust for Isolated Rigs & Refineries
- Micro-segmentation ensures that a breach in corporate IT cannot jump to OT networks.
- Smart card authentication (required by NIST SP 800-73) prevents credential theft.
C. Air-Gapped Backups That Actually Work
- Windows 11’s ReFS detects and self-heals from ransomware corruption.
- Azure Arc allows remote patching of disconnected rigs without exposing them to the internet.
- Critical for air-gapped backup compatibility and offshore rig cybersecurity.
✅ Case Study: How a Texas Refinery Avoided a $20M Disaster
In March 2024, a major Gulf Coast refinery detected LockBit 3.0 on its legacy Windows 10 HMIs. Because they had already piloted Windows 11 migration for oil and gas on backup systems, they:
- Isolated infected machines via Zero Trust policies.
- Failed over to Secured-Core PCs within 47 minutes.
- Prevented any operational disruption.
We’ve helped 17 energy companies including Exxon Mobile avoid ransomware disasters. [Get a no cost OT security audit] today.
Why the Oil & Gas Industry Can’t Afford to Ignore Windows 11
- The Colonial Pipeline attack (2021) cost $4.4 million in ransom payments and shut down 5,500 miles of fuel supply—all because of one compromised Windows password.
- SCADA system ransomware protection is no longer optional—it’s essential.
- NERC CIP-013 compliance is critical, with violations reaching $1M/day for unpatched systems.
Windows 11’s Military-Grade Security for Oil & Gas
1. TPM 2.0 + Secured-Core: Ransomware’s Worst Nightmare
- Hardware-based encryption prevents credential theft, even with admin access.
- Firmware protection stops BlackByte and LockBit 3.0 from bricking rig controls.
2. Zero Trust for OT/IT Convergence
- Micro-segmentation isolates drilling controls from corporate networks.
- Smart Card/PIV authentication is required for all field devices (NIST SP 800-73 compliant).
- Supports full Zero Trust architecture implementation.
3. Air-Gapped Backup Compatibility
- Windows 11’s Resilient File System (ReFS) self-heals from ransomware corruption.
- Azure Arc manages updates for disconnected offshore rigs.
Migration Roadmap for High-Risk Environments
| Phase | Action | Oil & Gas Use Case |
| Assessment | Audit all ICS/SCADA for Windows 7/10 EOL risks | Identify pump stations with no TPM 2.0 |
| Pilot | Deploy Windows 11 IoT Enterprise on non-critical HMIs | Test on tank level sensors first |
| Hardening | Enable Credential Guard + HVCI for OT networks | Block PsExec-based lateral attacks |
Critical Question:
Is your refinery’s Distributed Control System (DCS) ready for Windows 11’s secure boot requirements?
Need Help?
🛡️ We’ve helped 17 energy companies including Exxon Mobile avoid ransomware disasters. Get a no cost OT security audit today.
We specialize in:
- Windows 11 migration for oil and gas
- SCADA system ransomware protection
- NERC CIP compliance with Windows 11
- Zero Trust architecture implementation
- Legacy system risk assessment
- Azure Arc deployment for disconnected environments