Securing Your Data
Advances in technology are certainly exciting. It allows us to be more responsive to your needs in a cost-effective manner. It enhances the relationship we have with you, our members. You provide more personal data and trust us to keep it safe.
It seems every day we hear about another security breach. These thieves want your (and our) data. Cyber thieves keep testing digital doorknobs and looking for open software windows to find a way to crack personal and business databases.
We take this threat seriously. After all, South Plains Electric Cooperative is owned and governed by you, our members. You’ve placed your trust in us, and we’re committed to protecting your data while safely delivering reliable power at the lowest possible cost.
South Plains Electric, as a cooperative, is part of a national network of consumer-controlled electricity providers working together to constantly evaluate and bolster cyber security measures. While there’s no sure-fire way to keep determined computer hackers out, we’re making it a lot harder, raising our level of protection and awareness with a new Cyber Security Plan developed by a group of regional electric cooperatives, a security consultant, our generation and transmission providers and approved by the Department of Energy (DOE).
We’ve also volunteered to be part of a Cyber Security Maturity Initiative commissioned by the Department of Homeland Security and the White House. Several very large utilities across the country are also participating in this initiative. The Department of Defense and other high levels of government are heavily involved.
Our internal group participates in webinars and conference to learn about new standards and best practices to keep ahead of would-be intruders.Proactively participating with these high-level groups helps us prepare and stay ready for new challenges that arise.
Collaborating with regional electric cooperatives and the consultant, we are working hard to minimize cyber security risks. We’ve met regularly with other cooperatives and our consultant over the last year and a half to review the current threats and find new or better ways to protect your information. Of course cyber security isn’t a one-time thing—we’re constantly improving and reinforcing our defenses with new technologies and best practices to protect your data and our operations.
All of our work and planning is regularly reported to the DOE to show them we are diligently working to secure our cyber assets and to protect your personal information.
No matter what security challenges rear their heads in the future, we are striving to be ready to meet them. As always, South Plains Electric Cooperative is looking out for you.
