Brief

• Utilities need cybersecurity solutions that are easy to implement and can make a real-world difference immediately.
• Minnesota has done well protecting state agencies from cybersecurity threats.
• The Internet Association, a trade organization of tech companies like Amazon and Rackspace, scored Minnesota number one in cybersecurity preparedness out of all states in 2020.
• North American Electric Reliability Corp. said in a Feb. 28 statement that its “suite of Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards” is ready to address those additional security challenges.

2022 has brought a number of cybersecurity concerns to light for utilities. Most recently, new legislation requires critical infrastructure providers to report cyber incidents and breaches in a timely fashion. The complex environment of Utilities’ reliance on OT as well as IT means that security teams have a diverse, geographically dispersed set of assets to secure. Utility leaders are invited to join a roundtable with Avista, Minnesota Power, Zpryme and Axonius to share best practices for cybersecurity on the grid.