Press Release

PUC Highlights Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Published on 10/19/2023

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric Gas Motor Carrier Pipeline Rails Telecommunications Transportation and Safety Water and Wastewater

National Efforts Identify Steps Everyone Can Take to Enhance Security; PUC Releases Updated Cyber Best Practices Guide for Utilities

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today recognized National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort to help consumers and businesses stay secure online while increasing national awareness and resilience about cyberthreats.

The interconnected nature of our modern digital world means we all share in the responsibility for cybersecurity, noted PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank. This year’s national cybersecurity theme is “Secure Our World” and focuses on easy steps we can all take to safeguard our information and devices.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The PUC encourages Pennsylvanians to carefully review information developed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The October awareness 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 the National Cybersecurity Alliance emphasize four key actions that everyone can take to enhance the cybersecurity of their personal and business systems: 

• Use Strong Passwords. Strong passwords are long, random, unique and include all four-character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Password managers are a powerful tool to help you create strong passwords for each of your accounts.
  
  
• Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication. You need more than a password to protect your online accounts and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked. Enable MFA on all your online accounts that offer it, especially email, social media and financial accounts.
  
  
• Recognize & Report Phishing. Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive information or credentials with unknown sources. Report phishing attempts and delete the message.
  
  
• Update Software. Make sure your software is up to date and the latest security patches and updates are installed on your devices. Regularly check for updates if automatic updates are not available.
  
  

National Utility Discussions About Cybersecurity

The Pennsylvania PUC also continues to work closely with utility commissions across the country, to discuss cybersecurity preparedness, response, and policies. 

Earlier this month the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) joined with the National Association of State Energy Officials and the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office in releasing a new toolkit for state energy officials and public utility commissions – providing actionable information on cybersecurity for solar power and supporting state cybersecurity enhancements for solar and other distributed energy resources.

This national utility-related cybersecurity project is the latest in a series of cybersecurity resources for utilities and utility regulators released by NARUC.

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