Texas RE Speaker Emphasizes Human Role in Security

Holden Mann | Source: RTO Insider | Posted 04/25/2025

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Devin Ferris, the Texas Reliability Entity’s manager of critical infrastructure protection compliance monitoring, did not mince words in his briefing on cyber readiness at the regional entity’s Spring Standards, Security and Reliability Workshop on April 23.


AI generated summary

During the Texas Reliability Entity's Spring Standards, Security and Reliability Workshop, Devin Ferris highlighted the evolving threat landscape in cybersecurity, particularly the increasing sophistication of attacks utilizing generative artificial intelligence. He pointed out that while technology poses new risks, human error remains a significant vulnerability. However, Ferris believes that by fostering a culture of security, organizations can transform their workforce from being the weakest link into their strongest asset.

Ferris focused on the risks associated with low-impact grid cyber systems, emphasizing the need for utilities to prepare for compliance audits under the CIP-003-8 standard. He encouraged attendees to prioritize risk mitigation as a pathway to compliance, noting the challenges posed by remote connections in new inverter-based resources. He also stressed the importance of human vigilance in cybersecurity, advocating for measures like multifactor authentication to combat phishing and social engineering threats, while underscoring the necessity of maintaining strict access controls to ensure both compliance and security.



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