Ceelox biometric software chosen to protect Kissimmee Utility Authority
27 September, 2007
category: Biometrics
Ceelox’s ID™ Server Edition, a server-based biometric software application, has been chosen by the Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) to secure its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Using fingerprints, the software ensures only approved KUA operators gain access to the SCADA system without having to remember passwords. KUA implemented Ceelox’s ID Server Edition in response to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) increased security requirements.
Kissimmee Utility Authority Selects Ceelox Biometric Software for SCADA System Security
TAMPA, Fla. — Ceelox announced today that Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) has selected Ceelox ID™ Server Edition, a server-based biometric software application, to protect its SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system from cyber security threats.
Ceelox’s ID Server Edition biometric software ensures that only approved KUA system operators can gain access to the SCADA system – eliminating the need for employees to remember passwords that are either too easy to break or too complex to remember, and providing protection by requiring the finger print of authorized SCADA system operators.
“I don’t know of a more secure method than biometrics,” said Bob DePascale, Supervisor of SCADA and Communications, KUA. “Millions of Americans rely on the security of the nation’s power supply. With Ceelox ID Server Edition, KUA can regulate who has access to each part of SCADA, allowing only the appropriate personnel to access certain parts of the system. We have been extremely pleased with Ceelox ID Server Edition. On a scale from one to ten, I give Ceelox a 14.”
The KUA SCADA system monitors real-time power flow throughout the city of Kissimmee, Florida and unincorporated areas of Osceola County, and can immediately detect power outages so that electricity officials can turn the power back on as quickly as possible. KUA implemented Ceelox’s ID Server Edition in response to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) increased security requirements of the electronic information exchange, ensuring that the nation’s power supply stays secure and reliable.
Ceelox ID Server Edition adds a secure layer of authentication, insuring that only authorized individuals can access critical data. Ceelox ID Server Edition also provides enterprises with a strong audit trail of user identity – an accurate record of who accesses critical data and when.
“Ceelox is pleased that KUA chose our biometric application to meet NERC’s standards,” said Gerry Euston, CEO, Ceelox. “Maintaining a highly secure network within each utility authority connected to the nation’s power supply is a proactive step in protecting against major blackouts or terrorist acts. We value the relationship with KUA and hope that more utility authorities in the U.S begin thinking about the benefits of implementing biometric solutions to protect their SCADA systems.”
About Kissimmee Utility Authority
Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties. For more information, visit http://www.kua.com.
About Ceelox
Ceelox is an established, privately held provider of secure biometric and email encryption software solutions for financial institutions, educational institutions, government agencies and other markets. Ceelox’s software solutions provide innovative and fresh ways for users to send and receive information. Ceelox’s biometric and encryption software solutions are simple to implement, deploy, and use, and ensures that private customer information stays secure. For more information about Ceelox and its solutions, visit http://www.ceelox.com.