The role of comms in security and infrastructure

The USA’s Utilities Telecom Council says secure comms and networks are needed to ensure cyber and energy security.

The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) in the USA emphasised that the President’s energy- and cybersecurity policy goals outlined in his State of the Union address will rely on robust, sophisticated, high-capacity broadband networks for utilities and other critical infrastructure industries, such as oil and gas pipelines.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama stated that “no area holds more promise than our investments in American energy”, and he proposed using oil and gas revenues from federal lands to fund an Energy Security Trust to drive new research and technology.

President Obama also took aim at cybersecurity threats by explaining that he had signed an Executive Order to increase information sharing and develop cybersecurity standards and challenged Congress to pass legislation to give the government expanded authority to secure critical networks and deter attacks.

Referring to increasing cyber threats to the power grid, financial institutions and air traffic control systems, President Obama declared, “… We cannot look back years from now and wonder why we did nothing in the face of real threats to our security and our economy.”

Connie Durcsak, President and CEO of UTC, said, “The President’s speech recognises the vital role utilities and other critical infrastructure industries play in the quality of life and general wellbeing of our country. It also underscores the need for robust, reliable and secure communications networks to achieve these policy objectives.”

She added, “Improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy generation and protecting critical infrastructure all depend upon hardened, sophisticated communication networks to support a modern infrastructure - an infrastructure capable of providing the fundamental needs of our society, such as access to energy and water.”