Con Edison Hosts Conference of Experts to Discuss Cyber Security Strategies
Con Edison hosted a conference on cyber security this week to exchange information and knowledge with experts from government and the private sector.
Con Edison’s participation demonstrates the company’s commitment to protecting its systems and customers. The company recognizes some hard facts: Energy infrastructure is a potential target and, as the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks showed, New York City can draw particular interest from those who want to cause harm.
Mikhail Falkovich, Con Edison’s chief information security officer, led a panel discussion of cyber security issues at Monday’s conference.
“Cyber attackers are smart and relentless in trying to find ways to hack into our energy and information systems,” said Mikhail Falkovich, Con Edison’s chief information security officer. “Mitigating these threats requires continuously enhancing our technologies and knowledge of what attackers may do. Con Edison is fortunate to collaborate with top government and private-sector experts like those who attended the conference.”
The conference, co-hosted with the InfraGard New York Metro Alliance, featured discussions with experts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy, the FBI and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
Energy industry groups that took part included the Edison Electric Institute, the American Gas Association, and the North American Transmission Forum.
“AGA member energy utilities, such as Con Edison, take seriously their responsibility to deliver natural gas safely, reliably, and securely,” said Kimberly Denbow, vice president, Security & Operations, for the American Gas Association. “This means ensuring their networks are designed to protect from internal and external threats, the proper training of employees to be vigilant of potential cyber threats, and the application of a robust portfolio of security measures.”
“The partnership between public and private entities is critical,” said Valerie Agnew, general counsel for the North American Transmission Forum. “This partnership leads the way for aligning the energy sector’s efforts to address cyber security.”
“In New York City, we recognize the value of trusted partnerships,” said Jennifer Gold, president of NY Metro InfraGard. “We eliminate silos, collaborate, and join forces in order to strengthen our response to evolving cyber threats. By sharing actionable intelligence and resolutely protecting our critical infrastructure assets, we have created a national paradigm for cyber-resilience.”
Con Edison’s network is designed to protect from internal and external threats. Con Edison regularly trains its employees to stay aware of potential cyber threats.The company’s experts stay abreast of methods attackers may use and the technologies Con Edison can adopt to stop them.
The company has robust cybersecurity and supply chain controls to maintain safe, reliable service and protect customers’ information.
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $66 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. Through Consolidated Edison Inc.’s subsidiary, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, the company is the second-largest owner of solar electric projects in North America.