| | AUGUST - 2019ENTERPRISE SECURITY8The Balancing Act: Network Security and Connectivityn today's ever-changing digital world, utility customers expect providers to be as connected as streaming television services and email accounts. But, like a lot of industrial businesses, utilities tend not to be the earliest adopters of new technology. New technologies promise easier and faster ways to accomplish important tasks, but taking the time to account for strengths, weaknesses, risks and longevity associated with each new offering is best-practice.Every decision to upgrade or implement a new system needs to benefit employees and stakeholders, while ensuring the security of customer information and company financial data. Because of this, it is essential that CIOs continually work to redefine their corporate strategies to fully embrace updated or new technological offerings and ensure they are balancing this with their company investment and every potential security risk.For many industrial and utility businesses, the technological trends being adopted are not on the cutting edge of development, but rather, they are important for information technology and operations technology systems. Cloud-based computing, the proliferation of mobile devices and the importance of cyber security are just a few key advancements that need to be carefully implemented in strategic plans. I encourage CIOs, and all tech leaders across all industries, to be proactive, strategic and forward-thinking for each technology decision.By Whitney Kellett, CIO, Aqua America [NYSE:WTR]At the heart of all technology based decisions is the need to manage and protect company assetsIIN MY OPINION
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