Lockheed Martin [LMT] has launched Palisade, a cyber security tool that offers advanced threat detection and forensics for the utility and energy industries.

The company says that Palisade gives network security analysts enterprise-wide visibility, awareness and alerting to effectively identify and mitigate cyber security threats.

“As the smart grid is implemented, utilities are being challenged by regulators and customers to ensure the security of new digital energy management systems,” Rich Mahler, cyber security senior manager with Lockheed Martin Energy Solutions, said in a statement.

Security challenges associated with implementing smart grids include an increased burden on information technology and operations security, exposure to new cyber security threats, increased government regulation and limited resources to deal with cyber threats, Lockheed Martin said.

American Electric Power [AEP] is using Palisade. Lockheed Martin, which stepped up its partnerships with utility companies in 2009, provides cyber security, program management, and smart grid consulting support to these firms (Defense Daily, Dec. 3, 2009).