TDi Signs Cooperative Research and Development Agreement With INEEL
TECSys Development Inc. (TDi) ( www.tditx.com ), a leading provider of device and application management software and services solutions, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), today announced that they have signed a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA). Under this agreement, TDi and the INEEL will explore software technologies that will improve cyber security of computer-based control systems, which currently operate the nation’s critical infrastructures. TDi’s experience in this vein stems from the development of its flagship product, ConsoleWorks, an enterprise event monitoring, management and regulatory compliance solution, which offers corporations a single management solution and also satisfies post-9/11 security requirements.
“Ensuring the security of the control systems that operate our nation’s critical infrastructures is a top priority for the INEEL, DOE and DHS,” said Paul Kearns, INEEL Laboratory director. “The CRADA commitment with commercial industries such as TDi will help us succeed in this important task.”
The Need
Across the country, a fleet of aging and unprotected computer-aided control systems operates our nation’s critical infrastructures such as electric power grids, oil and gas refinery plants and telecommunication systems. These control systems, originally designed for efficiency and reliability, are today, susceptible to cyber attacks by hackers, virus writers and adversaries looking to disrupt our way of life.
To counter these threats, the INEEL was selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to lead a national effort for control systems vulnerability reduction. As part of the CRADA between TDi and INEEL, ConsoleWorks network management and security technology will be evaluated for use in fulfilling the INEEL mandate – develop tools, formulate research material and create practical and cost-effective solutions for securing current and next-generation control systems.
“TDi works with leading energy companies across the United States to help them solve problems surrounding NERC 1300, the Blackout Report, and more,” explained William Johnson, TDi chief technology officer. “TDi looks forward to meeting the needs of all the INEEL’s test beds – in particular, cyber security, SCADA EMS and Wireless.”
ABOUT INEEL
The INEEL is a science-based, multiprogram national laboratory dedicated to advancing the DOE’s strategic goals in the areas of energy, national security, science and environment. It is the home of science and engineering solutions and is operated for the DOE by Bechtel BWXT Idaho LLC.
ABOUT TDi INC.
TDi (TECSys Development Inc.), with headquarters in Plano, is the leading provider of enterprise monitoring and management solutions. For more information, please visit TDi at www.tditx.com , e-mail questions to info@tditx.com , or call 972-881-1553. ConsoleWorks is a registered trademark of TDi Inc.
