TECA hosts Inaugural IT and Cybersecurity Workshop

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association hosted its first IT and Cybersecurity Workshop on Thursday, Sept. 12. With the help of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 15 electric cooperatives were able to learn about information technology and cybersecurity from industry-leading experts and one another.

“With the ever growing needs our co-ops face today, we knew this information and this type of workshop was needed,” said Tina Smith, executive assistant for TECA. “We are thrilled it all came together like it did and that we had so many of our members join us at this inaugural event.”

Attendees heard from TVA’s cybersecurity team about their cybersecurity measures as well as from TVA’s director of foundational systems on how to build a utility grade network. CISA’s cybersecurity supervisor shared tips on how to prevent cyberattacks and hacks. Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs, also provided an update on recent legislation designed to protect electric co-ops.

“I found TECA’s IT and Cybersecurity Workshop in Nashville very relevant to what is going on today in our industry,” said Jeffrey Gunter, Holston Electric Cooperative’s director of network administration and network engineering.

The day concluded with a roundtable discussion where participants were able to share tips and tricks for what has worked for them in the cybersecurity world. Most importantly, 27 cooperative professionals were able to ask each other questions.

“The Q&A session at the end was awesome to hear what others in the valley are doing to combat cyber threats and keep their networks safe.  In-person information and experience sharing is so valuable to co-ops,” Gunter said.

“We already have some ideas in the works for the next workshop and hope more co-ops are able to join us for that event,” Smith said.