DEWA Relies on Nozomi Networks to Ensure World-class Delivery of Electricity and Water Utility Services

The Customer: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

Founded in 1992 by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is the exclusive provider of electricity and water services in Dubai. The public utility is setting industry standards worldwide as it innovates to ensure that the more than 1 million customers it serves have an adequate and reliable supply of electricity and water. In support of that effort, DEWA delivers an installed capacity of more than 16,270 megawatts (MW) of electricity and over 495 million Imperial Gallons (MIGD) of desalinated water every day.

How Does the Sole Provider of Electricity and Water Services in Dubai Ensure a Real-time View into Substations Assets and Activity?

Since its inception DEWA has fostered a culture of innovation, adopting the latest technologies to improve people’s lives in a sustainable environment. In 2013 the utility began a massive effort to modernize its power production processes with a focus on reliability, sustainability and efficiency. DEWA is committed to achieving the strategic objectives of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to diversify energy resources and improve efficiency of electricity and water usage.

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In 2016, DEWA embarked on a journey to optimize the resilience of Dubai’s power grid against growing cybersecurity threats. In addition to reinforcing its processes, it prioritized the establishment and maintenance of robust threat detection and response capabilities across its Transmission Power Network assets and the Transmission & Distribution Network Control Centers. DEWA required real-time asset visibility, active threat monitoring and AI-powered insights to ensure efficient, reliable service delivery and to proactively mitigate threats to its substations.

Ensuring Efficient and Reliable Delivery of Electricity with Nozomi Networks

DEWA partnered with Nozomi Networks to develop and implement a solution that uses the Nozomi Network platform to deliver asset visibility, threat detection, and centralized monitoring across more than 180 Transmission Network sites and two control centers. More than 180 Guardian sensors and 3 Central Management Consoles (CMCs) have been deployed to ensure the efficient and reliable delivery of electricity to DEWA customers and DEWA has plans to extend Nozomi Networks solutions into additional substations to maintain reliable supply of power across the Emirate of Dubai.

Delivering Visiblity and Response to Ensure the Lights Stay On

After implementing the Nozomi Networks platform, DEWA has obtained actionable intelligence, allowing quick action when threats are detected across the sites covering IEC101, IEC104 & IEC61850 sites.

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Additionally, the Nozomi Networks platform is integrated with DEWA’s OT-CSOC to support DEWA’s OT security analysts with real-time actionable intelligence. Also, the threat intelligence keeps DEWA apprised of any new threats relevant to its installed asset base.

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Lastly, the Nozomi Networks solution has assisted DEWA in ensuring they are meeting their compliance obligations – both internal and external.