nCircle, the leader in information risk and security performance management, today announced the results of a survey of 104 security professionals in the energy and utility industry. The survey was sponsored by nCircle and EnergySec, a DOE-funded, public-private partnership that works to enhance the cyber security of the electric infrastructure. The online survey was conducted between March 12 and March 31, 2012.
When asked, “Have the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grants awarded to smart grid projects adequately addressed security?,” 67% of respondents said “no” and 33% said “yes.”
According to Patrick Miller, CEO of EnergySec, “Cyber security was a component of the ARRA grant efforts and many have implemented adequate measures. The biggest challenge is gaining any degree of consistency in those measures, given the sheer number of grants processed. Ensuring that the security measures are designed for long-term security is central to their future success.”
According to Keren Cummins, director of federal markets for nCircle, “A one-time, short turn-around grants program should produce good results in some specific projects. Propagating those results effectively across the entire industry will require long-term commitment and institutional change, and that’s not something a one-time infusion of government money can deliver.”
Source : Business Wire
