Utilities Industry Impact
Ensuring grid reliability and cyber resilience through proactive monitoring.
Nuances
Utilities operate critical infrastructure that combines traditional IT with operational technology (OT). Their networks must guarantee maximum uptime, cyber security, and real-time data flow for grid management and water supply systems. The environment includes SCADA systems, industrial control systems, and smart meters, all interconnected in a hybrid environment. Power outages or cyberattacks can cause widespread disruptions, making proactive monitoring and rapid incident response vital. As they expand their infrastructure, they plan to incorporate newer sensor networks, advanced analytics platforms, and smart grid technologies, which will require seamless integration.
Technology Stack
Virtualization
Nutanix AOS and VMware vSphere 7
Operating Systems
Windows Server 2019, Ubuntu 20.04, custom embedded OS on SCADA systems
Network Devices
Cisco Catalyst switches, Fortinet FortiGate firewalls
Wireless
Ruckus Wireless Access Points at field sites and substations
Industrial Control Systems
Integrated SCADA systems, GE's Grid Solutions
What We Achieved
Pre-incident
Identified a failing SCADA communication module through real-time monitoring, preventing a potential outage that could have affected thousands of residents.
During incident
Detected and isolated a malware intrusion attempting to access critical control systems, preventing a potential blackout or equipment failure.
Post-incident
Reduced outage duration from several hours to under 30 minutes, avoiding widespread power disruptions. Early threat detection and automated containment protected sensitive operational data and maintained grid stability.
Customer Impact
The utility company was able to reduce outage durations by over 70%, saving an estimated 120 hours annually that would have been spent on manual incident response. The early detection of cyber threats and system failures prevented large-scale blackouts, safeguarding their operational data and maintaining community trust.
They are also planning to introduce additional smart grid sensors with our MircoNode POE devices, advanced analytics platforms, and IoT-enabled meters that they intended to integrate with Netwatch OPS & Ai OPS. This would provide even broader visibility into their entire infrastructure, further enhancing resilience and operational efficiency.