Sensus Becomes First Smart Grid AMI Company to Complete International Security Certification

Achilles Practices Certification validates cyber security best practices from design through deployment

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sensus is the first Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) company to achieve overall cyber security certification after an eight-month collaborative effort with industrial testing and certification firm, Wurldtech Security Technologies. Sensus has achieved the Wurldtech Achilles Practices Certification (APC), a security best practices benchmark, in addition to the Achilles Communication Certification previously awarded for the Sensus FlexNet™ AMI communications system. The Wurldtech Achilles Certifications are based on standards set by the International Instrumentation Users Association (WIB).

“As the smart grid industry looks for ways to improve the security and reliability of AMI formal cyber security benchmarks heavily utilized in other critical infrastructure sectors, such as the Achilles Certifications, can help lead the way.”

“Securing the smart grid is essential to furthering the adoption of technologies that can help us better serve customers and conserve energy,” said Joe Sagona, Information Security Manager for Southern Company. “We support efforts across the industry to commit the time and resources necessary to define and achieve common standards for security.”

The APC testing covered more than 200 Sensus processes in specific areas designed to improve and proactively maintain security throughout the product lifecycle including organizational support and governance, product functionality, and commissioning and maintenance.

“At its core, Sensus is a technology company that customers respect and trust,” said David Ayers, vice president of engineering at Sensus. “The ability to offer internationally certified technology solutions extends that trust by achieving a standard of security embraced by global industrial leaders.”

The Achilles Communication Certification, awarded last October, verified that an end-to-end FlexNet AMI system, comprised of ten components and all intercomponent communication, possesses robust communication architecture and an overall resilience against intrusion or other malicious acts.

“Sensus has demonstrated impressive foresight in pursuing the Achilles Communication and Practices Certifications and we commend their dedication to continual improvement,” said Nate Kube, CTO of Wurldtech. “As the smart grid industry looks for ways to improve the security and reliability of AMI formal cyber security benchmarks heavily utilized in other critical infrastructure sectors, such as the Achilles Certifications, can help lead the way.”

To date, Sensus customers have more than eight million endpoints installed and communicating at over 225 electric, water and gas utilities.

About Wurldtech

Wurldtech Security Technologies provides proactive technology solutions developed to assess network robustness, analyze network security and verify the resilience of industrial automation components and networks. Founded in 2007 by internationally-recognized industrial cyber security experts, Wurldtech has positioned itself as a trusted security advisor to many of the world's largest industrial organizations with a product and service portfolio specifically designed for suppliers and users of industrial automation devices, systems and applications utilized in high availability process control networks in critical infrastructure sectors.

About Sensus

Sensus leads in innovative and evolving technology solutions that enable intelligent use and conservation of critical energy and water resources. Sensus has led the discovery, development and implementation of technologies for the energy and water industries for more than a century. Water, gas and electric utility customers around the world benefit from the company’s open, flexible products and solutions to help them optimize their resources – today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., USA, Sensus serves customers from locations throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit www.sensus.com.

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