In today’s world, most of us don’t leave the front door unlocked. We protect our homes, loved ones, and valuables from intruders with locks, alarms, and other security measures. Cybersecurity is no different. It’s the practice of protecting other valuables such as your identity, banking, and health records, and other sensitive information from digital attacks and theft.

In addition to pumpkin-spice lattes, crisper air and Halloween festivities, October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. While taking necessary steps to protect members’ personal information is a year-round practice, Pee Dee Electric is also committed to enhancing the cooperative's cybersecurity efforts through a multifaceted approach involving recognizing the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats and taking proactive steps to safeguard our systems and the electric grid.

Here’s what Pee Dee Electric is doing to enhance the cooperative’s cybersecurity efforts:

1Collaborating closely with a trusted third-party vendor who conducts rigorous assessments of our security infrastructure, pinpointing vulnerabilities that require immediate attention.

2Pee Dee Electric is an active member of various prominent industry organizations, including E-ISAC (Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center) and NRECA's Cyber and Physical Security Consortium. Participation in these groups provides us with invaluable insights into industry best practices and emerging threats. It also enables the cooperative to share our experiences and knowledge with peers from other organizations and co-ops within the electrical energy sector, fostering a collaborative environment in which we collectively tackle common challenges.

3Pee Dee Electric employees continuously evaluate cutting-edge security technologies within our IT and Engineering departments to stay ahead of malicious actors who are constantly evolving their tactics. In the fall of 2022, Pee Dee Electric established an internal cybersecurity group with representatives from every department, not just IT. This inclusive approach ensures that all employees actively contribute to the protection of our business network and the resilience of the electric grid.

"Pee Dee Electric understands that cybersecurity is a collective effort, and we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of protection for our operations and our community," stated Janet Carson, vice president of IT at Pee Dee Electric.

We’re doing our share on the cyber front. Part of offering excellent service is keeping that service secure and reliable. For Pee Dee Electric, reliability means repairing wear and tear, upgrading our equipment to withstand storms and severe weather, and using technology and best practices to keep our system secure from cybersecurity issues.

While we can’t stop a storm or predict every disruption, as a co-op, we do everything we can to keep the lights on and our members protected. Because if we all do our part, our interconnected world will be safer and more secure for everyone.