Estonia’s largest power network provider, Elektrilevi, has joined the European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) to help it improve cyber resilience, the network said August 9.
Founded in 2012, the ENCS is a non-profit organization that works to bring together critical infrastructure stakeholders and security experts to secure critical European energy grids and infrastructure. It has researchers that work with partners on applied research defining technical security requirements, component and end-to-end testing, and education and training. The network uses its network of academic, government, and business partners to provide cybersecurity solutions and counsel to aid national Distributed System Operators (DSO) and regulators.
Elektrilevi, which maintains a network of nearly 40,000 miles of power lines and over 24,000 substations, is the first Eastern European company to join ENCS. It will also join an effort to develop a consistent set of security requirements for operational technology, including distribution automation or smart metering.
Access to these resources will allow Elektrilevi to run procurement processes for secure components and systems in a cost-efficient way, ENCS said.
“As Estonia’s network operator for approximately 90 percent of the households and businesses in the country, our role is to ensure the security of both our network and our customers’ data. By joining ENCS and becoming part of a pan-European community, we will be able to share best practice and ensure that best in class security requirements are reflected in our procurement processes,” Jaanus Tiisvend, board member of Elektrilevi, said in a statement.
Michael John, the ENCS director of consulting services, noted this kind of collaboration among European utilities is necessary to address cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.
“Our role is to enable our members to share information and knowledge in a trusted environment. Through that, we aim to develop protocols and standards to protect both infrastructure and customers across Europe. We’re very pleased that Elektrilevi will be participating in that process and we look forward to working with them.”