LIVE FROM UTC TELECOM: Let's look at data centers

Before a utility can discuss data security with a customer, it has to have and hold the data itself. Data was the centerpoint of all the sessions at UTC Telecom 2011 in Long Beach May 10-13. From use to security, it was all about those small little slices of very important information.

During the case study on data centers on Wed., May 11, experts questioned whether current data centers have the capacity to support the data that’s about to hit with the smart grid, specifically smart metering and demand response pilots and programs---all that information that impacts a consumer.

“We’re adapting our infrastructure for a very bright smart grid future,” said Bud Voss, chief technology officer at Comverge during the session. “Our data center needs and our back office needs are ever-changing.”

Comverge works with more than 500 utilities and with data needs for communications and the smart grid. Comverge currently operates a data center in Pennsylvania for their demand response program, though they are now building a main location in Atlanta, leaving the Pennsylvania operations as a back-up.

With the smart grid, there is a shift in data collection from one-way to two-way with info coming in and going out every 15 minutes. Voss noted that this creates a massive change, and, now, Comverge needs to analyze business data in real time, which requires expansion.

Comverge suggests adopting an architectural approach to improve security and scalability with the bigger and better data center the smart grid may require. This new and shiny process is all about creating a solid grid design capable not just of data use and sorting but takes into account potential disaster issues and even federal requirements like NERC CIP.

“You have to allow for access points and higher levels of traffic with the smart grid,” said Sanket Amberkar, senior manager of smart grid with Cisco Systems, which worked with Comverge on the data center update. Amberkar also stressed a need for robustness in this type of system and making sure they are scaled even with field deployments.

So, the first step to securing that customer data starts with making sure your data center is up to snuff.