Security News > 2020 > January > Reality Check: How Vulnerable Is the Power Grid?

Is it possible that a nation-state actor such as Iran could create a cybersecurity incident that compromises the U.S. power grid? Bernie Cowens, who until recently was CISO at the nation's largest electric utility, says that's unlikely because the power grid is more cybersecure than you might think.

"It's important to understand that the sky is not necessarily falling with regard to the power grid," says Cowens, who recently left his role as vice president and CISO of Pacific Gas and Electric in California.

The reality, he says in an interview with Information Security Media Group, is that power utilities are tightly focused on understanding, responding to and communicating about threats to the grid.

Cowens is chief security officer with Utility Technology Solutions, a startup organization.

Earlier, Cowens was CISO for First American, where he oversaw all aspects of information security for the company and its global business units.

News URL

https://www.inforisktoday.com/interviews/reality-check-how-vulnerable-power-grid-i-4569