Cybersecurity: Tom Fanning
Prepare, Protect, Respond
“There is a fast approaching environment where it won’t be humans to machines but rather machines to machine. Now your millions of times a day could be trillions.”
Cybersecurity: Bruce Walker
Prepare, Protect, Respond
“Approach the sector as if it has already been compromised and recognize that the system was designed before computers were available.”
Cybersecurity: Brian Harrell
Prepare, Protect, Respond
“When utilities are struggling with a malware issue, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, physical security events, emergency management, and response and recovery issues, we are there in their time of need.”
Nation’s Thought Leaders Talk About Prepare, Protect, Respond
Cybersecurity Special Feature
This magazine explores issues faced by a variety of participants including utility executives, regulators, and outside experts examining their perspectives on cyber-defense, preparedness, and digital resilience.
Mississippi PSC: Public Utilities Staff
A Day at the Mississippi PSC
“The Public Utilities Staff was split away from the Commission in 1990, so we are a separate independent agency. We provide advisory and investigative services to the PSC.”
Mississippi PSC: Rickey Cotton
Director - Pipeline Safety
“I assign inspectors an area throughout the state and let them stay about two years to make sure that they don’t bond too much with the operator.”
Mississippi PSC: LaToya Earnest, Staff Officer
A Day at the Mississippi PSC
“I typically have to interact with everyone here because I’m the point of contact for entering items on the agenda for our meetings.”
Mississippi PSC: Katherine Collier
Executive Secretary
“The Public Utilities Staff serve in an advisory role to the Commission and in a consumer advocacy role in some instances. They are the subject matter experts. They have more expert and specialized Staff than the Commission.”
Mississippi PSC: Commissioner Cecil Brown
A Day at the Mississippi PSC
“One challenge is access to services for rural communities. We don’t have adequate broadband service for much of our state. We don’t have adequate gas or water service.”
Mississippi PSC: Commissioner Sam Britton
A Day at the Mississippi PSC
“Providing basic utilities that are available at affordable, competitive prices are part
of having a strong economy.”