Utility organizations, like other critical infrastructure sites, are faced with ever-present challenges to protect their facilities, people and assets. Whether the locations are power generation plants, substations, water treatment facilities or solar farms, utilities must be prepared to protect against a multitude of dangers, including vandalism, equipment theft and the growing threat of domestic terrorism.
A recent spate of attacks in the United States on electrical substations is calling renewed attention to vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure security. In particular, questions are being raised about the protection of these smaller, ancillary facilities, which can be cost-prohibitive and challenging for organizations to fully protect. Depending on the size of the utility organization, these sites can number in the hundreds and are often located in remote areas, far from the main communications infrastructure. This can leave the site vulnerable to copper thieves or vandals who destroy a circuit breaker or transformer, which can require repair and replacement of parts and result in the costly disruption of services to utility customers.