Security concerns around the world usually focus on terrorists assaults such as suicide bombers and other types of assaults on human life. However, concern has also been raised over the security of public utility systems and their possibility of being compromised, including through internet connections.
The Laurens Commission of Public Works got an update on cyber security at their January meeting this week. Management reported that the Piedmont Municipal Power Agency (PMPA) recently hired a consultant to perform a high level cyber security evaluation on itself and its members’ utilities. This project included an in-depth on site assessment of potential cyber security vulnerabilities. The Commissioners were advised that some minor technical issues were found, but since these have now been corrected, the CPW was given a very favorable report.
Laurens, Clinton and eight other Upstate cities own a part of Duke Energy’s Catawba Nuclear Station through PMPA, which then distributes electricity that supplies the bulk of electricity used by the ten member municipalities.
