Major electricity company turned to Long View to assist with the cybersecurity initiatives

To protect critical infrastructure, a major electricity transmission and distribution company turned to Long View Systems to assist with their cybersecurity initiatives through the implementation of a comprehensive security hardening framework.

According to recent reports regarding cyber threats, the energy industry is one of the most targeted infrastructure sectors. With the move towards grid modernization in which there is a convergence of information and operations technology, taking the appropriate action to implement effective security measures is critical.

Recognizing this urgent need for a comprehensive security framework for electronic devices, this organization has already implemented certain aspects of a new expanded security program - in which security hardening is a crucial component.

Security hardening, which is part of this organizations engineering standard for all deployed devices, is a process by which there is a dramatic reduction in the surface vulnerability of complex multifunction systems.

To ensure their security hardening strategy aligned with North American Electricity Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Ontario Cyber Security Framework - one of the most comprehensive and mature reporting requirements for power distributors in the country – this organization turned to Long View Systems.
Working together, Long View implemented the entire security hardening measures to protect select critical infrastructure for power transmission and distribution for the Province.

 

---

 

SUMMARY

 

Challenges

• When it comes to cyber threats, the energy industry is one of the most targeted infrastructure sectors
• With the convergence of information technology and operations technology, surface vulnerability is considerable
• Given the ever-changing nature and complexity of cybersecurity requirement, the need for an agile and responsive strategy is challenging

Solutions

• Performed a security assessment
• Instituted measures to reduce available points of possible attack such as changing default passwords and removing unnecessary or outdated applications

Results
The security hardening framework from Long View provides a solution that is in alignment with the best practices to implement and control the risk around cybersecurity.