Network Integrity Systems has released a new article highlighting Fiber Optic Sensing Technology.
Hickory, North Carolina–(Newsfile Corp. – February 8, 2023) – Attacks on substations across the country are becoming more frequent, creating new discussions about how to protect the nation’s electrical grid from in becoming a critical infrastructure crisis. In a recent article, Network Integrity Systems (NIS) offers modern sensing technologies to detect intrusion attempts in real time and help protect substations from ambush.
Network Integrity Systems Release Information with Fiber Optic Sensing Technology
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The article begins by looking back ten years ago at how the attack on the Pacific Gas and Electric Power substation (Metcalf Energy Center) in San Jose, California, almost caused damage to the area. The attackers entered the facility undetected, firing rifle shots at the station’s transformers. Because the station was only equipped with remote alarms and not higher security protection, authorities only received information that the transformers were overheating, leading responders to arrive nearly an hour after the attack. The culprits have not yet been identified.
Fast forward to 2022, and similar attacks are underway in Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina. However, these attacks resulted in widespread power outages that lasted for days, leading to catastrophic damages.
According to NIS, fiber optic sensing technology could have prevented these attacks. The installation of NIS sensors around the perimeter of the substation can detect the violation of the perimeter, which allows the escalation of the attack. In the Metcalf case, the intruders began the attack by breaking into the underground communications vault and cutting the cable; NIS solutions would have detected that initial intrusion allowing authorities to respond and stop the attack.
An excerpt from the Network Integrity Systems article reads, “Not only did the broken cables result in immediate alarms, but only the movement of the cable management to make the cuts noticeable.” With the implementation of fiber optic sensing technology, attacks made on substations can be neutralized.
NIS’ INTERCEPTOR and VANGUARD data security solutions and their SENTINEL perimeter and asset protection solutions use fiber optic sensing technology to protect power stations, government and military facilities, National Security Information, data centers, and other critical sectors of the infrastructure.
To read the full article, visit the link here.
Contact information:
Name: Amanda Hazel
Email: amanda.hetzel@networkintegritysystems.com
Organization: Network Integrity System
Address: 1937 Tate Blvd. SE , Hickory, NC 28602, United States
Website: https://www.networkintegritysystems.com/
To view the original version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154067
