Power Up Your Cyber Defenses This Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and at Central Hudson, we’re proud to stand alongside national efforts that promote safe digital practices. We’re committed to protecting your data and ensuring our systems remain resilient. Whether you're checking your energy usage online or paying your bill through our customer portal, we want you to feel confident that your data is protected. 

Central Hudson’s Cyber Defenses 

Here’s how we’re helping you stay cyber-safe: 

• Employee Training: All employees undergo regular cybersecurity training to help them recognize and stay ahead of evolving threats that could compromise our systems, protect your data from breaches and unauthorized access, as well as adhere to strict regulatory compliance.  

• Dedicated Cybersecurity Team: Our Cybersecurity Engineers, Operational Technology Cybersecurity Analysts, and Cybersecurity Program Managers all implement and maintain security tools, monitor threats, and respond to security incidents – if they occur. 

• Customer Education: We share tips on our website to help you recognize different digital and physical scams and how to handle them safely and appropriately. Click here to learn more on how to avoid scams. 
  
  

You Can Be Cyber-Safe Too! 

While we have multiple cybersecurity defenses of our own, we want to help you take control of your digital safety. We encourage you to take a moment to review your online behavior and safety practices.  

Here are 7 quick tips to boost your cyber defenses: 

1. Use strong, unique passwords for each account you have. Never have an existing password for another account be the same as your Central Hudson account password! 
2. Watch out for phishing emails. Don’t click on any suspicious-looking links! 
3. Stay alert for any unusual phone calls or home visits from people claiming to represent Central Hudson. A Central Hudson employee will always identify themselves and show their company issued ID if asked. If you feel unsure about a phone call, hang up and contact us directly. Central Hudson will never demand payment in unusual ways like pre-paid debit cards or money orders. 
4. Keep your software updated to patch vulnerabilities. 
5. Ensure you always use a secure Wi-Fi network.  
6. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication whenever it is offered.  
7. Monitor your accounts for unusual activity. 

Follow these tips to help keep your data safe. 

If you ever suspect suspicious activity related to your Central Hudson account, contact us immediately at (845) 452-2700 or contact us by email and input your information after selecting the "Potential Scam" email topic in the dropdown. 

For more information on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, go to https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month.