Hometown Connections, Inc. Launches Public Power Cybersecurity Management Program
National non-profit utility services organization Hometown Connections, Inc. launches comprehensive, cost-effective cybersecurity program for community-owned utilities and city governments.
LAKEWOOD, Colo., May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- To meet public power's need for cybersecurity solutions that are comprehensive and cost effective, Hometown Connections, Inc. has launched a Cybersecurity Management Program for public power electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities and other city departments. Hometown Connections is helping community-owned organizations across the United States evaluate their cybersecurity requirements, develop plans for cyber risk management, and deploy effective cybersecurity defenses that include ongoing monitoring, training, remediation, and maintenance services.
A national non-profit utility services organization, Hometown Connections provides innovative, industry-leading solutions in a cost-effective manner to meet the unique needs of community-owned utilities.
Due to the multifaceted and ever-evolving cyber threat, electric utilities of all types must access cybersecurity expertise. Yet many of the resources available today are expensive or not ideally suited for the typical public power utility. The Hometown Connections Cybersecurity Management Program is a comprehensive collection of cybersecurity solutions and a network of providers able to serve as a single resource for the cybersecurity needs of community-owned utilities and city governments. Hometown Connections manages and coordinates all cyber service delivery for each client.
One feature of the Hometown Connections Cybersecurity Management Program is the Cybersecurity Assessment service that identifies cyber vulnerabilities and designs a detailed cyber defense program based on industry standards and best practices. Because the foundation of each utility's cyber defense strategy must be a snapshot of its current security posture, Hometown Connections works with utility personnel and their third-party providers onsite at the utility/municipality or remotely to create a cybersecurity profile. Then, Hometown Connections analyzes the information and delivers a detailed report with recommendations for how to address deficiencies, prioritize action items, and budget for security improvements. To make sure the service is affordable to public power utilities of all sizes and budgets, the pricing for the Cybersecurity Assessment ties to the staffing, infrastructure, and network footprints of the utility or city.
Hometown Connections is continuing its marketing alliance with AESI-US, Inc. and Marsh-Wortham Power Gen Insurance which provide a broad range of cybersecurity services as part of the Cybersecurity Management Program, and their services are synergistic with the Cybersecurity Assessment feature of the Program.
"As community-owned utilities and city governments are targets of ransomware and other cyber-attacks at an alarming rate, we are hearing the same request over and over," said Tim Blodgett, President & CEO. "The medium and smaller-sized organizations want to secure from a single source the expertise to build and maintain a strong cyber defense at a price they can afford. The Hometown Connections Cybersecurity Management Program coordinates the delivery of budget-friendly cyber services and 'boots on the ground' that our industry needs."
"Hometown Connections is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive cybersecurity services designed specifically for public power," said Randy Howard, Hometown Connections Board Chair and General Manager of the Northern California Power Agency. "We are owned by public power, and we work on cybersecurity issues in close coordination with the American Public Power Association. We are managing a growing network of national vendors and regional field personnel with the expertise and reach to meet public power's demand for cybersecurity solutions designed and priced specifically for them."
About Hometown Connections, Inc.
Hometown Connections, Inc. is a national, non-profit utility services organization specializing in the unique challenges facing community-owned utilities. For more than 20 years, our expert team has helped over 900 utilities to transform their processes and systems. Hometown Connections works with utilities of all sizes, facilitating access to technology and services from industry-leading companies and consultants. Hometown offers solutions to develop each area of the utility business: operations, cybersecurity, business strategy, customer care, finance, and workforce. Hometown Connections, Inc. is co-owned by the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, American Municipal Power, Inc., Great Lakes Utilities of Wisconsin, Missouri Public Utility Alliance, Northern California Power Agency, and Vermont Public Power Supply Authority. Visit http://www.hometownconnections.com.
SOURCE Hometown Connections, Inc.
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