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MultiSpeak to Begin Testing Cybersecurity Compliance for Utility Software Applications(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 28 -- The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association issued the following news release: MultiSpeak(TM), a software standard used by utilities worldwide, announced it is now ready to test software applications for compliance with cybersecurity requirements. The launch of the security test harness marks a significant milestone: MultiSpeak is the first utility software standard to include cybersecurity as part of compliance testing. MultiSpeak is developed and maintained by a collaboration of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the more than 150 software vendors, consultants and utilities belonging to the MultiSpeak Initiative. The MultiSpeak security standards ensure that data exchanged between applications, either internally at the utility or with outside organizations, is secure. MultiSpeak developed the cybersecurity standards in 2013; the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel approved the standards in May of 2014. To build and implement the MultiSpeak(TM) cybersecurity test infrastructure, MultiSpeak teamed up with Albeado Inc., a Silicon Valley-based technology provider for enterprise class security and risk analytics solutions. The testing process has been certified by Cigital, an industry leading software security provider. "By offering a tool for testing software cybersecurity, MultiSpeak is both helping topple one of the barriers to modernizing the nation's electric system and helping cooperatives and other utilities handle the convergence of information technologies and operational technologies," said Jim Spiers, NRECA's vice-president for business and technology strategies. "MultiSpeak is the first utility standard to implement a security test framework for utility IT and OT systems and is the outcome of an intense collaboration of multiple agencies and stakeholders. We are extremely happy to a partner, and feel privileged to work with the community to make this solution available for use." said Jeremy Westbrook, who is leading Albeado's security, analytics and integration initiatives for the utility sector and is the MultiSpeak(TM) coordinator for Albeado. About MultiSpeak The MultiSpeak Specification is an industry-wide software standard that facilitates interoperability of diverse business and automation applications used by more than 725 electric utilities in at least 19 different countries. It has been developed and maintained by a collaboration of NRECA and the over 150 software vendors, consultants and utilities that are members of the MultiSpeak Initiative. Learn more at: www.multispeak.org.The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states. About Albeado Inc. Albeado has been working with the MultiSpeak standard and NRECA since 2011 to bring security and integration solutions like MultiSpeak based ESB, always-on cyber security compliance for both point-to-point and ESB interfaces and training for utility staff with hands-on curriculum. Based in Silicon Valley, Albeado is dedicated to make high value utility integration, analytics and security solutions low effort and cost effective. Learn more at: www.albeado.com [Category: Energy] TNS 18EstebanLiz-140829-30FurigayJane-4841382 30FurigayJane (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |