Five Questions with Utility Technology Association President Vicky Wilson Turner

Ahead of Utility Security magazine attending the Utility Technology Association’s (UTA) annual conference earlier this year in October, we had a chance to speak with the organization’s president to learn more about the UTA, their annual event and what cybersecurity concerns are shaping their members’ discussions and efforts.

Can you tell our readers about the UTA and what the organization is doing to help propel security in the utility segment? 

The UTA was originally formed back in 1981. At its core, it is a technology support group that focuses on new and innovative ideas to ensure strength and growth in areas like network administration, security, disaster recovery, information compliance, network and internet security, customer information systems, regulations changes, new technologies and much more. What we really work to do is to provide events and spaces that offer intellectual venues for persons associated with information technology to explore both issues and solutions to topics of relevance for utilities in the Southeastern U.S. Although it was established as a regional entity, we welcome anyone to this informative group who has technology-related knowledge or services to offer, or to those who can benefit from this kind of information.

What makes you most proud of the work that UTA is doing?

I’m proud to say I’ve been an active member since 1982. I love the networking that UTA offers the attendees. It’s such a friendly and helpful group that welcomes questions and shares best practices, insights and knowledge. Because we are all part of the utility industry, we know often that we are all working to get to the same place but understand that each may have a different path that gets them there. So, we come together and talk about the best routes, roads to stay off of and obstacles that may arise on the journey. The information sharing is so beneficial. Throw in learning about all the new technologies and how they work, and, well, that’s just icing on the cake!

Every year, the UTA holds its annual IT conference. Can you talk more about this event and why it is so valuable to the organization and its attendees?  

The UTA IT conference is a packed two-and-a-half-day event that helps inform and connect folks from all forms of utilities and telecoms. It gives attendees a chance to get together to share ideas, network, learn from industry experts and explore a vendor exhibit space of about 25 to 35 vendors. We open the event with a cybersecurity roundtable, and that really gets the information sharing flowing right away. The rest of the event features presentations, utility spotlights, networking events and time to talk with vendors. It’s by far the best conference I attend each year, and I’m very proud of the fact we make it cost effective, content packed and a wonderful networking opportunity.

Being so entrenched in the cybersecurity facets of utility security, what are the most pressing challenges that you and other UTA folks are talking the most about? And what are some of the innovations or new technologies being discussed?

Ransomware threats from malware and phishing continue to be a huge issue right now. Things like third-party supplier vulnerabilities, older legacy system challenges, and the need for greater awareness and training are often discussed. From a new technology perspective, AI and machine learning are hot topics.

For readers and organizations out there who might be interested, how could they get involved with the UTA or attend the annual IT conference?

They can go to utilitytechnology.org to learn all about UTA and join our communications list.  We begin communicating each spring via email about our annual IT conference, which is hosted in the fall in September or October. Our 2025 conference will be in Memphis, TN. When you attend the conference, you become a member. I encourage you to come on out and join us. I promise you won’t regret it.