Eaton expands cybersecurity program to help safeguard critical infrastructure, advance education

Date: October 11, 2018

• Builds on UL cybersecurity collaboration, announces second UL accredited lab testing environment and connected lighting certification 
  
• New Eaton Cybersecurity SAFE Lab at Rochester Institute of Technology strengthens industry education and research 
  

PITTSBURGH, PA … Power management company Eaton announced today it rolled out new elements of its cybersecurity program. Eaton is expanding its collaboration with global safety science organization UL to continue establishing measurable cybersecurity criteria for network-connected power management products and systems. Additionally, Eaton is collaborating with Rochester Institute of Technology to develop real-world cybersecurity training environments. 

According to the World Economic Forum 2018 Global Risks Report, cybersecurity risks are growing in their prevalence and disruptive potential, and attacks against businesses have nearly doubled in five years. As cybersecurity threats are increasingly commonplace, customers need to be confident that the connected technology is secure and resilient. At the same time, addressing the shortage of cybersecurity professionals is critical to building a more secure infrastructure. 

“Eaton is bolstering a cybersecurity approach that is centered upon secure product development, organizational capabilities and swift incident response to continue supporting trusted environments in an increasingly connected world,” said Michael Regelski, senior vice president and chief technology officer for the Electrical Sector at Eaton. “Our collaboration with UL is establishing rigorous engineering practices for network connected products and systems, while our work with Rochester Institute of Technology will provide the next generation of engineering professionals with the tools and resources needed to take advantage of career opportunities in cybersecurity.” 

Eaton’s innovation center in Pune, India is now the company’s second lab approved to participate in UL’s Data Acceptance Program for cybersecurity. With this advancement, Eaton can test its global products to aspects of the UL 2900-1 and 2900-2-2 Standards at its engineering lab in India as well as its cybersecurity research and testing facility in Pittsburgh – which was the first lab approved to participate in UL’s Data Acceptance Program for cybersecurity. 

“We know that cybersecurity is a global threat,” said Regelski. “Having the capability worldwide to ensure that the highest standards are consistently applied to our technologies is a key advantage for our customers.” 

Earlier this year, Navigant named Eaton as a leader in IoT for lighting, and now Eaton has certified its WaveLinx smart lighting system to the UL 2900-01 Standard. This is Eaton’s second product certified to the UL standard for cybersecurity. Eaton’s WaveLinx technology provides connectivity with other IoT and smart building management systems to bring powerful insights and wireless control of lighting to commercial facilities. 

Eaton’s collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) brings together experts to equip the next generation of cybersecurity experts with the training and field experience to build secure products. The Eaton Cybersecurity SAFE (Security Assessment and Forensic Examination) Lab at RIT will provide students with hands-on experience in solving cybersecurity challenges. 

Learn more about Eaton’s approach to cybersecurity. 

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges. 

Eaton is a power management company with 2017 sales of $20.4 billion. We provide energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. Eaton has approximately 98,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit Eaton.com.

Contact 
Hilary Spittle, (440) 523-5352
Regina Parundik, (412) 559-1614