Florida Public Power Utilities Prepare for Cyberthreats

Utility companies are attractive targets for hackers and have a high exposure to cyberattacks. To help Florida’s municipal electric utilities understand the threat landscape and resources to prevent cyber incidents, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) and the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) are hosting the inaugural Florida Public Power Cybersecurity Summit tomorrow and Thursday in Orlando.

The summit will provide a forum for more than 120 cybersecurity professionals, utility managers and industry-leading experts to share information, discover tools, grants, and opportunities for municipal entities, improve incident response capabilities, exchange best practices, and learn about new trends in cybersecurity.

A highlight of the summit includes the CyberStrike workshop, a daylong training for energy sector owners and operators that provides a hands-on, simulated cyberattack, drawing from elements of the 2015 and 2016 cyber incidents in Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (DOE-OE), in collaboration with the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center and Idaho National Lab (INL), will facilitate the workshop.

“Cyber issues and cybersecurity are critically important to electric utilities. We must protect the grid at all times and prepare for different kinds of cyber events in a world where cyber threats are constantly evolving,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “We are pleased to offer our members and peers across the country with this opportunity to engage with nationally-recognized cybersecurity experts and leverage various industry and government partner resources.”

The Florida Public Power Cybersecurity Summit will also feature a trade show with cybersecurity-related vendors and conference sessions focusing on three different tracks – operational technology, information technology and management.

“Cybersecurity awareness is the first step to keeping the electric grid safe. We also must embrace and implement effective processes, strategies and technologies to protect our electric systems and customers,” said Carter Manucy, FMPA IT/OT & Cybersecurity Director. “The Cybersecurity Summit will provide participants with the tools to prepare for, defend and recover from cyberattacks.”

For more information about the Florida Public Power Cybersecurity Summit, visit https://www.flpublicpower.com/events/florida-public-power-cybersecurity-summit-2022. For more information about the CyberStrike workshop, visit https://inl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/21-50064_CyberstrikeFlyer.pdf.