The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and the Coordinating Body of the Interconnected Electrical System (OC-SENI) received certification under the ISO 27001 Standard, awarded by Aenor, one of the main certifying entities at a global level.
This distinction, which addresses the comprehensive management of information security, makes both institutions pioneers in their sector in obtaining this certification in the Dominican Republic, with only five certificates issued throughout the country, according to the ISO Survey 2022. This certification marks a milestone in strengthening cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure in the electrical sector.
The certification, which was supported by the United States Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of its program for the country’s energy reform, represents a key step forward in the national strategy to strengthen security in the energy sector, protecting sensitive information and guaranteeing the continuity of its operations.
During the event, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos Echavarría, said that “cybersecurity is the central element to defend our critical infrastructures, such as the energy sector, because it is one of the most transversal sectors of our economy.” The official congratulated the entire USAID team that collaborated during the project process and urged them to continue working and coordinating with other State institutions to work on these issues.
For his part, Manuel López San Pablo, general manager of OC-SENI, indicated that obtaining this certification represents a fundamental support for the protection of critical data for the operation and security of SENI.
He also said that this milestone demonstrates the genuine commitment of all MEM and Coordinating Body collaborators to strengthen the protection of operations in the energy sector.
ISO 27001 certifies that the Ministry of Energy and Mines and OC-SENI comply with the highest information security standards, ensuring that solid processes are in place to manage risks and safeguard data against cyber threats.
Likewise, USAID Deputy Director Robert Clink said that this 27001 certification represents the culmination of a rigorous technical process that contributes to strengthening the energy sector for the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic, after indicating that “it guarantees that the physical infrastructure for storing and processing data from the electricity sector complies with international standards and becomes more resilient to cyberattacks.”
Diohani Calvo, Head of IT Security and Monitoring at MEM, stated that this achievement has been a joint effort of all areas and that it benefits MEM because it marks a milestone of progress in cybersecurity.
Present at the event were the Vice Ministers of Savings and Energy Efficiency, Alfonso Rodríguez; of Energy, Rafael Gómez; of Mines, Miguel Díaz; of Social Development of the Ministry of the Presidency, Betty Soto; the head of the USAID Office of Environment and Sustainable Development, Arvil González; and the director of operations of Aenor Dominicana, Ariel Espejo.
The relevance of ISO 27001 certification for the energy sectoreither
ISO 27001 helps organizations identify, manage and minimize threats to information security, which is crucial in a context where cyberattacks and cyberthreats are increasingly sophisticated and frequent.
With ISO 27001 certification, the Ministry of Energy and Mines and OC-SENI are at the forefront of cybersecurity management, following the highest international standards, and reinforcing the confidence of citizens and companies in the security of critical infrastructures.
About AENOR
Aenor is a leading entity in the certification of quality, environmental, occupational health and safety, and cybersecurity management systems. With more than 30 years of experience globally, Aenor works to generate trust between organizations and citizens through its independent and rigorous audit processes.
