Portugal’s Floene Enhances Cybersecurity in Energy Distribution Through ENCS Membership

Portugal’s Floene Enhances Cybersecurity in Energy Distribution Through ENCS Membership

(IN BRIEF) The European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) welcomes Floene as its newest member, focused on enhancing cyber defenses in Europe’s energy sector. Floene manages Portugal’s largest gas distribution network and boasts modern infrastructure for renewable gas distribution, including hydrogen and biomethane. ENCS collaborates with various gas grid operators across Europe, offering expertise in security testing, consultancy, and training services. Floene’s inclusion aims to harmonize best practices and enrich ENCS’s knowledge base in gas distribution innovations. The partnership aligns with the energy transition and the imperative of securing critical gas infrastructure in today’s geopolitical landscape.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 14-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) is pleased to announce the addition of Floene as its newest member, furthering its mission to fortify Europe’s energy sector against cyber threats. Floene, the largest natural gas distribution operator in Portugal, manages a cutting-edge infrastructure that supports the distribution of renewable gases like hydrogen and biomethane, positioning it as a leader in Europe’s modern gas distribution landscape. ENCS has a longstanding commitment to collaborating with gas grid operators across Europe, sharing valuable insights, providing top-notch security testing, consultancy, and offering comprehensive training services.

Floene’s membership signifies a significant step towards standardizing cybersecurity best practices throughout Europe while affording ENCS members and stakeholders the opportunity to leverage Floene’s profound expertise in gas distribution innovations.

Anjos Nijk, Managing Director of ENCS, expressed his enthusiasm about Floene’s membership, saying, “I’m delighted to welcome Floene to our network, Portugal’s largest gas distributor, bolstering our knowledge and expertise in this sector. The energy transition will not be possible without gas in the energy mix. Since gas has become an instrument in the geo-political developments and the Nordstream incident the importance of securing our gas infrastructure has become evident. We look forward to Floene’s contributions to our network.”

Wagner Castro, Head of IT Service Strategy at Floene, highlighted the critical role of cybersecurity in renewable energy distribution, emphasizing the significance of business continuity and resilience in this context. He stated, “Cybersecurity is a crucial component to ensure key capabilities in the renewable energy distribution, in which, both, business continuity and resilience are not options, but the mission. Joining ENCS is an important step for Floene in the exciting journey of the energy transition in Portugal.”

FLOENE is the largest natural gas distribution operator in Portugal, operating in 106 municipalities from North to South of the country through its 9 Regional Gas Distribution Operators, serving over 1.1 million connected customers.

About Floene

With a network of more than 13,500 km, fully prepared to accommodate new renewable gases like hydrogen and biomethane, FLOENE positions itself as a significant player in Portugal’s energy transition, thereby fulfilling its purpose of promoting sustainable communities.

About ENCS

The European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) is a non-profit membership organisation that brings together critical infrastructure stakeholders and security experts to deploy secure European critical energy grids and infrastructure. Founded in 2012, ENCS has dedicated researchers and test specialists who work with members and partners on applied research, defining technical security requirements, component and end-to-end testing, as well as education & training. ENCS uses its network in academia, government and business to provide cyber security solutions and counsel dedicated to the needs of national Distribution System Operators (DSO), Transport System Operators (TSOs) and regulators.

For more information, please contact:

Floene: Ricardo David Lopes – rdl@cunhavaz.com +351 969 406670

ENCS: Maartje Knottenbelt – maartje.knottenbelt@encs.eu +31 88 2052 678

SOURCE: ENCS