EPRI Initiative Helps Address Electronic Security Risks

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://199.97.97.163/IMDS%PMANAT0%read%/home/content/users/imds/feeds/writersdesk/2001/05/30/eng-powerm-000001/eng-powerm-000001_151107_133_582877588924

Palo Alto, Calif., -- May 30, 2001 -- At the push of a button
competitive rivals, disgruntled employees, or cyber terrorists could
access and disrupt the intricate electronic systems that support
today's internet-based economy. With current hacking tools, these
intruders are able to expose the vulnerability of commercial and
industrial business operations. The Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI) is addressing these issues with the Enterprise Infrastructure
Security Initiative (EIS). The initiative is designed to support
energy industry efforts to anticipate and manage the business risks
associated with critical infrastructure protection worldwide.

"The operating systems used in industry were not designed with
electric security in mind, which exposes them to the dangers of
deliberate tampering," said Joe Weiss, EIS Technical Manager. "EIS is
working with operations and security organizations both inside and
outside the electric power industry to better understand system
vulnerabilities."

Launched in 2000, EIS focuses on operation systems such as Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA) and Plant Distributed
Control Systems (DCS) and their inter-connectivity with corporate
business systems, offering members directed, collaborative sharing of
technical information.

"No single person or organization has all the answers," said Jim
Fortune, Manager of EPRI's EIS program. "We must collaborate with
stakeholders in the energy industry, federal government, and private
sector to protect the nation's critical electricity infrastructure."

A special workshop for members of the EPRI EIS program will be held
June 6-7, 2001 at the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.
Participants will get better insight into the vulnerabilities and what
can be done to insure the safety of SCADA and DCS systems. The
workshop also features "how to" sessions on intrusion detection and
risk assessment, and provides updates on current government-sponsored
and private sector critical infrastructure protection initiatives and
activities. For information, contact Joe Weiss at 650-855-2751 or
mailto:joeweiss () epri com





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