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Energy | Customer Stories

Supercharged Cybersecurity: How OPSWAT's MetaDefender Kiosks Protect Omaha Public Power District

Defending the Power Grid in America’s Heartland from Cyberthreats
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Who is Omaha Public Power District (OPPD): OPPD, or the Omaha Public Power District, is a major publicly owned electric utility in Nebraska, USA. Serving over 352,000 customers across 13 counties in Southeast Nebraska, their mission is to provide reliable, affordable, and environmentally sensitive energy services. OPPD plays a pivotal role in delivering electricity to both residential and industrial consumers in the region.

What's the story? OPPD faces cybersecurity challenges in safeguarding its critical infrastructure from removable media threats. To strengthen their defense, they've deployed OPSWAT's MetaDefender Kiosks across multiple locations. The solution provides a hardened layer of protection at the point of entry, enabling them to keep pace with security policies, monitor data, and receive notifications, which enhances their ability to protect the grid against cyber threats. This is their story.

INDUSTRY:

Energy (Electricity)

LOCATION:

Nebraska, USA

SIZE:

Approx 1,700 employees

PRODUCTS USED:

MetaDefender Kiosk

In the realm of energy, the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) stands as a lifeline for the heartland of America. Yet, lurking beneath the surface of this vital energy provider is an ever-present threat—cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.

Strengthening OPPD's Perimeter of Defense

Ensuring a secure and uninterrupted supply of energy is essential to our modern way of life. From a cybersecurity perspective, this begins with the protection of critical data. The ability to move data through facilities provides significant operational benefits, however, transferring data through these vital networks increases the associated cybersecurity risks and the looming threat of cyberattacks.

With stringent industry regulations in place to protect against cyberthreats, OPPD needed to scan incoming data for malware and maintain vigilant data monitoring within their facilities.

OPPD opted for OPSWAT's MetaDefender Kiosk to directly address this complex challenge. These kiosks, strategically positioned at key locations, serve as comprehensive "security checkpoints" to safeguard data entering the OPPD network.

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We needed to track and manage the constant flow of data in and out of our facilities. MetaDefender [Kiosk] has enabled us to set up detailed security policies for specific users and keep pace with the ever-changing industry requirements. It adds another layer of protection for us.

Malie Combs
Cybersecurity Analyst Information Technology at OPPD

Tailored Cybersecurity for the Power Grid 

MetaDefender Kiosk empowers OPPD to configure detailed security policies tailored to specific user groups. These policies can limit the size of files entering the network and block specific file types, including the likes of JPEG or PDF. By enforcing these policies, MetaDefender Kiosk ensures that digital data undergoes thorough scrutiny before entering OPPD's facilities.

diagram of OPSWAT's process for secure data transfer

Staying Ahead of the Curve

OPPD recognized the importance of staying one step ahead in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. With frequent upgrades in order to stay ahead of known and unknown threats, MetaDefender Kiosk provided them with extensive file processing and advanced logging capabilities. This placed OPPD at the forefront of digital security, and they were prepared to counter emerging threats with unparalleled precision.

Since integrating OPSWAT's MetaDefender Kiosk into their cybersecurity strategy, OPPD has witnessed transformative outcomes:

Seamless Protection

OPPD can effortlessly monitor and manage data entering their facilities, reinforcing their security shield.

Proactive Threat Alerts

MetaDefender Kiosk provides OPPD with immediate alerts when users attempt to access the network with unexpected file types, allowing for rapid response.

Hardened Defenses

MetaDefender Kiosk strengthened OPPD’s overall perimeter of defense, adding a crucial layer at the point of entry across their critical infrastructure.

In Summary

OPSWAT's MetaDefender Kiosk is an unwavering ally for the Omaha Public Power District. By bolstering security, scanning for malware, and safeguarding digital infrastructure, OPSWAT has elevated the digital defenses of one of Nebraska's most vital energy providers. This partnership exemplifies how technology can protect the indispensable services that power our lives.

To find out more on how OPSWAT's MetaDefender Kiosk can benefit your critical infrastructure, reach out to an OPSWAT expert today.

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