Cybersecurity, Ease of Doing Business Top Concerns at 2015 DistribuTECH

DistribuTECH, the world’s largest transmission and distribution conference and exposition, just wrapped up in San Diego and Verizon was front and center, educating the energy and utility sector about how Verizon is helping to drive meaningful change through grid modernization. I sat down with Michael Brander, managing director, energy and utilities practice, Verizon Enterprise Solutions to discuss the insights he gained while attending DistribuTECH.

Michael Brander, Managing Director, Energy and Utilities Practice, Verizon

What were the main trends you saw at DistribuTECH this year?

The overarching message that I heard was the industry’s need for ease of integration and ease of doing business with their partners. The pace of new technology is rapidly increasing and many firms want to eliminate the complexity these changes introduce, especially regarding their communication network and the security of these networks. The industry is starting to understand that fragmented solutions are not scalable, feasible nor sustainable. Many companies are looking to business partners, like Verizon, to help them address their business challenges as they modernize their operations and change how they deliver service to customers in a rapidly evolving industry.

What advice do you have for energy and utility companies as they are making their technology decision?

The most important thing energy and utilities leaders can do is to ask a lot of questions to various groups within their own organizations as well as to multiple vendors. It’s critical that industry leaders listen to the good and the bad and take away key learnings from their partners and stakeholders. Understanding what the real challenges and problems are is what is going to lead to the right solutions for their businesses, especially as they navigate unchartered waters.

How important is security to the energy and utilities industry and what to challenges does it face?

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for this evolving market especially now with the increase in machine-to-machine connections and the development of a national smart grid. As grid modernization projects get underway, incorporating a resilient cybersecurity program from the inception of the initiative is critical, especially as the adoption of Internet of Things, such as smart meters and smart grids, continues to increase.

The importance of a sound cybersecurity program cannot be understated. Firms in the sector must understand the risks and take the necessary protective steps to safeguard all devices, sensors and things connected to their networks, while ensuring a safe environment for their customers to do business with them.

Visit Verizon’s Energy and Utility solutions portfolio to learn how you can better serve your customers and grow your business.