NORWICH – Norwich Public Utilities plans to spend $350,000 over the next year to harden its cyber security network and protect critical infrastructure from outside threats.
The move, NPU Program Officer Manager Eric McDermott said Tuesday, focuses mainly on the creation of a secondary firewall within the utility’s existing network to protect its Bean Hill substation in the city’s Yantic section.
“We’ve essentially created a fence that protects the Bean Hill substation from any outside access,” McDermott told the Public Utilities Commission. “Over the next couple of years, we’re going to be working to expand those changes.”
Citing security reasons, officials said they couldn’t provide information regarding how much energy the substation – one of five operated by NPU – contributes to the grid, but the facility’s switching system and connectivity to the overall power system made it necessary to implement the security measures.
McDermott said the project is not the result of a specific threat, but to bring NPU’s infrastructure in line with new federal standards that take effect next year. The updates are expected to be completed by next April.
NPU will be considered a “medium impact facility,” meaning any complications to its grid could affect power distribution throughout New England.
The security measures are required to meet North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s critical infrastructure protection standards.
Randy Black, NPU’s IT manager, said access to the firewall is heavily restricted. And NPU’s computers are already buffered from hackers or other cyber assaults, he added.
“We already have our systems separated. This secures it with its own firewall space and puts an extra layer around it,” he said of the Bean Hill substation.
In addition to the software upgrades, McDermott said officials are setting up an electronic security perimeter around Bean Hill and purchasing equipment and software with increased safety measures – included in the overall price tag for the project.
McDermott said the enhancements will also make NPU’s power grid more durable, leading to better reliability for consumers.
“The project kicked off in February and since then, we’ve accomplished a lot,” McDermott said.
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