Cybersecurity as a Cornerstone of Clean Energy Innovation

As our world accelerates toward a more digitized and decentralized modern energy future, cybersecurity is no longer a technical afterthought—it is a strategic imperative.

At Franklin Energy, we view cybersecurity not as a cost of doing business, but as a foundation for trust, resilience, and long-term innovation. Whether we are deploying virtual audits, managing cloud-based program data, or scaling distributed energy resources across communities, our commitment to protecting systems and safeguarding data is unwavering. In fact, we believe that the security of our platforms is inseparable from the reliability of the energy programs we deliver.

Why Cybersecurity Matters More Than Ever

Utilities and energy providers today operate in an environment of exponential threat growth. Attack surfaces are expanding with every new IoT device, cloud integration, and software platform. Regulatory pressures are intensifying, and the consequences of a breach—ranging from service disruptions to data compromise—can be catastrophic, especially for vulnerable populations relying on energy assistance.

Franklin Energy’s role in this landscape is unique. We don’t just support utility and government energy programs—we power them with advanced technologies like NGAGE, our end-to-end digital ecosystem built to support the full lifecycle of energy efficiency, flexible load management, electrification, and resiliency programs. It helps 90 utility and state energy office clients accelerate impact, enhance customer experiences, and simplify implementation for more than 350 programs. That’s why we’ve built a security framework that is not only robust and reliable, but adaptive and intelligent.

A Security Model Built for a Moving Target

Our cybersecurity approach is rooted in a forward-thinking, cloud-native architecture, designed to meet the challenges of today while scaling for the uncertainties of tomorrow. But technology alone is not enough. It’s the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and a deeply embedded culture of cyber responsibility that sets us apart.

Our AI-powered systems don’t wait for a threat to knock. They learn, evolve, and act—detecting anomalies, triaging alerts, and autonomously isolating malicious activity in real time. This transformation from reactive to predictive security means we can neutralize threats before they escalate, protecting our clients’ data and ensuring seamless program delivery.

For example, our adaptive detection models—trained to recognize subtle shifts in behavior rather than relying on static signatures—have enabled our Security Operations Center to respond with unprecedented speed and precision. We've also implemented automated phishing response systems and deep forensic analytics, enhancing our ability to investigate, respond to, and learn from attempted intrusions. This defense-in-depth cybersecurity strategy is why we’ve achieved top scores in our SOC 1 and SOC 2 audits, and why BitSight ranks us #1 among our utility industry peers.

Cybersecurity as a Culture, Not Just a Capability

Equally important is our belief that cybersecurity is everyone’s job. Franklin Energy’s culture of vigilance empowers every employee to act as a front-line defender. Through immersive training, live-fire simulations, and role-specific awareness campaigns, we ensure that every team member—from engineers to program coordinators—are equipped to identify and report suspicious activity.

This human firewall has become one of our greatest assets. Over the past year, our increased emphasis on awareness has led to faster detection of phishing attempts, more proactive reporting of anomalies, and a measurable reduction in risk exposure across the board.

We also recognize that cybersecurity is not a siloed pursuit. Through collaboration with industry groups and threat intelligence networks, we continuously evolve our strategies and contribute to raising security standards across the broader energy ecosystem.

Recognition When it Matters Most

We are proud that these efforts have not gone unnoticed. Franklin Energy was recently named a winner in the 2025 Fortress Cybersecurity Awards, presented by the Business Intelligence Group. We received this honor in the Artificial Intelligence category, a testament to the advanced, AI-powered systems that anchor our cybersecurity strategy.

This award is more than a badge of honor—it’s a reflection of our values. It affirms that cybersecurity is not a bolt-on feature but a foundational principle in every tech-driven and forward-focused thing we build. It recognizes the dedication of our teams, the sophistication of our tools, and the strength of our partnerships with clients who trust us to safeguard what matters most.

Looking Forward

Modern energy solutions depend on trust—trust that our systems are safe, our clients' data is secure, and our innovations are resilient. At Franklin Energy, we don’t take that trust for granted. We earn it every day by staying one step ahead, remaining agile, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of cybersecurity excellence.

If you’d like to learn more about our recognition and what’s driving our cyber strategy, I invite you to read our official press release.

Together, let’s build a smarter, safer energy future.