Growing up in Greeleyville, we never locked our doors-everyone looked after each other. But times have changed.

It seems every day we hear about another security breach, and today's thieves aren't targeting traditional goods like electronics or the family safe. Instead, they want your (and our) data. Cyber thieves keep testing digital doorknobs and looking for open software windows to find a way to crack personal and business databases.

We take this threat seriously. After all, Santee Electric Cooperative is owned and governed by you, our members. You've placed your trust in us, and we're committed to protecting your data while delivering reliable, safe and affordable power.

Unlike my old neighborhood, we don't have a digital open-door policy at Santee Electric. As a cooperative, we're part of a national network of consumer-controlled electricity providers working together to constantly evaluate and bolster cyber security measures. While there's no sure-fire way to keep determined computer hackers out, we're making it a lot harder, raising our level of protection with new tools provided by the Cooperative Research Network, a research arm of our national service organization, Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Collaborating with electric cooperatives across rural America, we are working hard to minimize cyber security risks. Of course cyber security isn't a one-time thing-we're constantly improving and reinforcing our defenses with new technologies and best practices to protect your data and our operations.

No matter what security challenges rear their heads in the future, we are striving to be ready to meet them. As always, Santee Electric Cooperative will be looking out for you.

Floyd L. Keels
President and Chief Executive Officer