Press Release

PUC Highlights Efforts to Safeguard Critical Systems During Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Published on 10/7/2021

Filed under: Electric Gas Pipeline Rails Telecommunications Water and Wastewater

National Efforts Explore Cybersecurity Concerns and Collaborative Work to Address Global Cyber Threats to Utility Systems

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today recognized National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure that consumers have the resources to stay secure online while increasing national resilience against cyberthreats.

We all play a role in cybersecurity at home and at work, as emphasized by this year’s national cybersecurity theme – Do Your Part, #BeCyberSmart – noted PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille.

The PUC encourages Pennsylvanians to participate in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) promotions and outreach. The campaign emphasizes the role each individual plays in online safety and stresses the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace. 

This year CISA and NCSA are promoting the following cybersecurity themes: 

• Be Cyber Smart (Week 1, October 4th – 8th)
• Fight the Phish! (Week 2, October 11th – 15th)
• Explore, Experience, Share (Week 3, October 18th – 22nd)
• Cybersecurity First (Week 4, October 25th – 29th)

Educational materials and tips are available on the CISA website and everyone is encouraged to remain vigilant online.  You can also use the hashtag #BeCyberSmart to promote your involvement in raising cybersecurity awareness.

Cyber Threats to Utilities

Chairman Dutrieuille also addressed the need for vigilance.  Over the past year, we have seen significant cyber-attacks on the oil industry as demonstrated by the Colonial Pipeline incident, where cyber criminals locked out Information Technology systems that help direct fuel to the East Coast; and a water utility as was seen in the Oldsmar, Florida cyber incident where a cyber actor accessed the plant controls to change the bromine levels of the communities drinking water.  These incidents prove the need for utilities to be proactive and take measures to secure their critical infrastructure.

Nationally, the President’s Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity stresses proactive measures by critical infrastructure companies.  To this end, CISA has created resources for utilities and other businesses, including:

• Information on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
• Businesses and Critical Infrastructure
• The Business Case for Security

The PUC recommends that utilities use these guides to help them secure their critical infrastructure.  Utilities can also reach out to the PUC’s Office of Cybersecurity Compliance and Oversight if they would like assistance connecting with federal stakeholders to help them secure their critical infrastructure.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov