Central Florida utility companies discuss security after attack on North Carolina substations

>> SECURITY THAT WE HAVE THE -- >> I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SECURITY THAT WE HAVE THE SUBSTATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. >> NORTH CAROLINA GOVEROR ROY COOPER IS WARNING PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ABOUT SECURITY VULNERABILITIES AFTER ATTACKS ON TWO POWER SUBSTATIONS LEFT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE DARK OVER THE WEEKEND. CREWS ARE STILL TRYING TO RESTORE POWER. WE’RE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT SECURITY MEASURES HERE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. >> WESH 2’S CHRISTINA WATKINS JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO. CHRISTINA, YOU CHECKED WITH OUR UTILITY COMPANIES. >> I REACHED OUT TO FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT, OUC AND OF COURSE, DUKE ENERGY. A SPOKESPERSON FROM ALL THE COMPANIES TOLD ME THEY HAVE TEAMS IN PLACE WHO MONITOR AND RESPOND TO THREATS. THEY DO THIS 24/7. WHEN I ASKED THE COMPANIES WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO MAKE SURE CENTRAL FLORIDA’S POWER GRIDS ARE PROTECTED, DUKE ENERGY TOLD ME THEY PLAN TO SPEND $75 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO MAKE GRID IMPROVEMENTS. THAT INCLUDES MAKING IT MORE SECURE FROM ANY POTENTIAL CYBER OR PHYSICAL THREATS LIKE WHAT WE SAW AT THE DUKE SUBSTATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA. THEY CHANGE HOW THEY GO ABOUT PROTECTING THE GRID, BUT RIGHT NOW IT BREAKS DOWN INTO THREE MAIN PARTS. DUKE ENERGY TELLS ME THEY HAVE A PHYSICAL DEFENSE SYSTEM. A TEAM MANAGING THE 24/7 MONITORING. AND THEN THEY SHARE INFORMATION EVERY DAY, WITH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS. A SPOKESPERSON FOR FPL SAID BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA, THEIR TEAM IS ON HEIGHTENED ALERT AND IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY REMIND ALL CUSTOMERS TO PAY ATTENTION TO ANYTHING THAT SEEMS SUSPICIOUS AND IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. LASTLY, OUC SAYS WHAT HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA IS A REMINDER, FOR UTILITIES TO TAKE ALL SECURITY, PHYSICAL AND CYBER, SERIOUSLY. A SPOKESPERSON SAYS OUC DEVOTED SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO KEEP THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE SAFE. THAT IS WHAT THEY TOLD ME. AS FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA THE FBI IS ON THE GROUND HELPING WITH THE INVESTIGATION. THEY’RE STILL LOOKING INTO WHY SOMEONE SHOT AT THE SUBSTATIONS. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY SAYS EARLY EVIDENCE SUGGESTS IT WAS DELIBERATE. WE’LL B

WESH 2 checked with Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light and Orlando Utilities Commission about how they make sure Central Florida's power grids are protected. Below are the responses from each company.Duke Energy:"As the largest grid operator in the country, our responsibility to protect the power grid is paramount and we have a topflight team of professionals who monitor and respond to threats 24/7.We’re spending $75 billion over the next decade on grid improvements – which will include investments in making the electric grid more secure from cyber and physical threats. Duke Energy uses a multilayered risk management strategy when it comes to grid protection, and that strategy evolves as threats do. Our proactive strategy has three core components:  A robust physical defense system that meets – and exceeds – industry best practices.  A cross functional team that manages 24/7 monitoring.  Daily information sharing with our industry and government partners.We monitor and meet all industry standards for protecting critical infrastructure and deploy additional security measures when appropriate.An informed public that reports suspicious behavior is a powerful defense. If you see anything suspicious like a vehicle that’s not a Duke Energy car or truck near a substation, call 911. "Florida Power & Light:"We recognize that millions of Floridians rely on FPL every day for reliable electricity, and we take our duty to serve them extremely seriously. That’s why FPL has a robust, 24/7 security plan to continuously monitor and protect our critical infrastructure throughout Florida. Given the incident that occurred in North Carolina, our team is on heightened alert and in constant contact with law enforcement. As always, we remind customers that if they 'see something, say something' by reporting any suspicious activity to local law enforcement."Orlando Utilities Commission: “The Moore, North Carolina, event is a reminder that utilities must take all types of security – physical and cyber – seriously. OUC has devoted significant resources to safeguard our infrastructure. As we learn more, we’ll consider the lessons learned for our operations.”

Duke Energy:

"As the largest grid operator in the country, our responsibility to protect the power grid is paramount and we have a topflight team of professionals who monitor and respond to threats 24/7.

We’re spending $75 billion over the next decade on grid improvements – which will include investments in making the electric grid more secure from cyber and physical threats. 

Duke Energy uses a multilayered risk management strategy when it comes to grid protection, and that strategy evolves as threats do. Our proactive strategy has three core components:  

A robust physical defense system that meets – and exceeds – industry best practices.

A cross functional team that manages 24/7 monitoring.

Daily information sharing with our industry and government partners.

We monitor and meet all industry standards for protecting critical infrastructure and deploy additional security measures when appropriate.

An informed public that reports suspicious behavior is a powerful defense. If you see anything suspicious like a vehicle that’s not a Duke Energy car or truck near a substation, call 911. "

Florida Power & Light:

"We recognize that millions of Floridians rely on FPL every day for reliable electricity, and we take our duty to serve them extremely seriously. That’s why FPL has a robust, 24/7 security plan to continuously monitor and protect our critical infrastructure throughout Florida. Given the incident that occurred in North Carolina, our team is on heightened alert and in constant contact with law enforcement. As always, we remind customers that if they 'see something, say something' by reporting any suspicious activity to local law enforcement."

Orlando Utilities Commission:

“The Moore, North Carolina, event is a reminder that utilities must take all types of security – physical and cyber – seriously. OUC has devoted significant resources to safeguard our infrastructure. As we learn more, we’ll consider the lessons learned for our operations.”

Central Florida utility companies discuss security after attack on North Carolina substations

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