College Station Utilities receives national cybersecurity designation

College Station Utilities received a national cybersecurity designation from the American Public Power Association, the city announced Oct. 5.

About the designation

According to a news release, the American Public Power Association, or APPA, has awarded the designation to 60 different power utility cooperatives nationwide for two years of accreditation. Utility companies are measured on several factors, including: 

• Internal controls

• Cybersecurity governance and training

• Cybersecurity incident response and cyber risk management

• Safeguarding critical systems while training staff to recognize and mitigate cyber threats 

• Maintaining incident response plans and sustaining long-term security practices

Fred Christie, chair of APPA’s CAP Review Panel and chief information officer at Easton Utilities in Maryland, said the award winners are doing their best to protect U.S. electric grids while benefiting their communities.

The impact

CSU serves roughly 47,000 customers with electricity, water and other utilities in the city. CSU Electric Utility Director Glenn Gavit said he and the team were incredibly proud to be part of the inaugural designation. 

“We go to work every day to ensure safe and reliable service to this community, and it’s nice to see that hard work recognized nationally," he said.