Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation Enrolls IT Professionals in Forge Institute Training Academy
Since 1949, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) has provided Arkansans with a reliable and affordable wholesale power supply. A rash of high-profile cyber-attacks has made it clear that the United States’ power grid could be a target for hackers. AECC takes proactive steps to ensure that its digital network and power resources provide reliable energy for the 1.2 million member-owners served by its member distribution cooperatives.
“We’re training key personnel with a proactive program that involves an understanding of the cyber arena,” explained Robert H. McClanahan, Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Technology Officer for AECC. “Forge Institute is a great resource to ensure that AECC’s cybersecurity efforts exceed the expectations of our 17 member electric distribution systems that serve approximately 1.2 million Arkansans.
“Arkansas is becoming the rallying point for cybersecurity. By participating in and supporting Forge Institute’s Training Academy, organizations including AECC benefit from having access to robust professional training from entry level bootcamps to advanced penetration testing courses like Red Team Operations,” said Robert McClanahan.
Forge Institute provides training for employees at all levels of the organization. According to Forge Institute CEO Lee Watson, anyone in your organization can and should be trained in cybersecurity.
“All employees in your company are targets for hackers,” Watson said. “That’s why we encourage corporate leaders to make cybersecurity training available to everyone in the organization. Remember, your staff is the frontline of your cyber defense.”
“Because we’re so digitally connected, nearly every industry must take steps to harden its cybersecurity,” advised Watson. “A well trained workforce is your best defense.”
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About Forge Institute
Forge Institute provides a number of workforce development courses and other offerings that empower our partners with cutting-edge technologies and capabilities to advance cyber operational objectives and enhance our national security posture. For more information, visit the Forge Institute at: https://www.forge.institute.
About the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides various services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 1.2 million members, or customers, in Arkansas and surrounding states. Learn more at: https://aecc.com/
