Press Releases

10/27/2016

AVANGRID Promotes National Cyber Security Awareness Month

AVANGRID Promotes National Cyber Security Awareness Month

 

AVANGRID Promotes National Cyber Security Awareness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE, CT — Oct. 27, 2016 — AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) has announced that it is once again a Champion of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2016, joining a growing global effort among colleges, universities, businesses, government agencies, associations non-profit organizations, and individuals to promote online safety awareness.

Celebrated every October, NCSAM is a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure everyone has the resources needed to stay safer and more secure online. By continuing to be an official Champion, AVANGRID demonstrates its commitment to cyber security and online safety.

"As our energy networks get smarter and more connected, it’s more important than ever to protect against dangerous cyber-attacks," said Keri Glitch, vice president, Corporate Security – AVANGRID. "Our approach integrating people, processes, and technology makes cyber security a part of our day-to-day business. We are considered an industry leader in cyber security, and are very proud of what we have accomplished."

AVANGRID’s cyber security program engages an estimated 7,000 employees in 25 states. The company’s simulated e-mail phishing program is so effective that PhishMe, a provider of cyber security intelligence solutions, presented the company with its Phishing Defense Program of the Year Award in September. Since 2014, AVANGRID’s cyber security team has sent more than 80,000 suspicious e-mails designed to educate employees about the dangers of spear fishing. Jeri Teller-Kanzler, director of cyber security for AVANGRID, says the program has turned employees into true security assets.

“That ‘gotcha’ moment an employee experiences when they get ‘caught’ is a true catalyst for behavioral change,” she said. “Our employees learn to slow down, to think before they click a link, to recognize suspicious emails, and to report them.”

AVANGRID also has Business Security Liaisons (BSLs) across the company who act as advocates, coaches and teachers to promote and support cyber security among employee groups. A quarterly newsletter is devoted to security, managers are urged to begin meetings by soliciting and sharing security tips, and the company also held its first company-wide cyber security conference last year, where leaders and executives from AVANGRID, majority shareowner Iberdrola S.A, and affiliates from Scottish Power, Iberdrola Mexico, Elektro, shared information and heard from industry experts about best practices in cyber security.

"We all have a responsibility to protect against cyber threats; no single individual, business or government can do it all,” added Glitch. “AVANGRID companies are committed to doing all they can to keep the energy grid and customer information safe and secure."

For more information about National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the NCSAM Champions program, and how to participate in NCSAM activities, visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam. You can also follow and use the Twitter hashtag #NCSAM throughout the month.

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About AVANGRID
AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with more than $30 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities and electricity generation through two primary lines of business. Avangrid Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving  3.1 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, in states across the United States. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people.  The company was formed by a merger between Iberdrola USA and UIL Holdings Corporation in 2015. IBERDROLA S.A. (Madrid: IBE), a worldwide leader in the energy industry, owns 81.5% of AVANGRID. For more information, visitwww.avangrid.com.

 

Media Contact: 
Michael A. West, Jr. 
Michael.West@uinet.com
203.499.3858