Petrobas to Beef Up IT Security After Alleged Hacking

Petrobras will invest R$ 4-billion in information technology and security in 2013
 demonstrating the company's commitment to protecting its data. Millions of e-mails were pre-emptively blocked iin the span of a recent month.

The president of Petrobras, Maria das Graças Silva Foster said at a public hearing at the Senate, that the Company will invest R$ 4 billion in 2013 and R$ 21.2 billion between 2013-2017 in Information Technology and Telecommunications. During the joint hearing with the Parliamentary Commission for the Espionage Inquiry and the Economic Affairs and Foreign Relations committees in the Senate, the President explained that the company had constantly monitored and protected its information. As an example, she cited the quantity of emails that are preemptively blocked. "Between August 09 and September 09 we received 195.9 million e-mails. Of these, 16.5 million arrived at their destination" she said.

Regarding press reports that the United States National Security Agency (NSA) has targeted Petrobras through espionage, the President said no violation of Petrobras systems had been recorded, but the presence of the Company's name in reports has created "discomfort" and she said: "Systems used by Petrobras are among the most advanced on the market" emphasizing that investment in information security should be set to follow technological developments.




Graça Foster said that Petrobras has an Integrated Data Processing Center, which has restricted access, and that the Company's strategic information does not go through the Internet. "The Company's knowledge is held at the Data Processing Center. Critical information is stored in an encrypted closed system. Access to the center is controlled with biometrics, weighing and monitoring with cameras" she said. The President added that, despite working with partner companies and suppliers, only Petrobras holds all the information, only allowing the Company to read them. Additionally, Petrobras has contracts that provide for confidentiality.

Upcoming Libra field auction
Senators asked if the Libra auction, scheduled for October 21, 2013 should be postponed because of the espionage allegations. The President argued that she didn't see any reason to delay it because the National Agency for Petroleum, Gas Natural and Biofuels (ANP) provides the data to all the bidders.

Graça Foster also said that she considers Petrobras to be the most prepared company for the auction. "I apologize if I seem arrogant, but I don't know of any other company that is as well prepared for Libra. Because it was Petrobras that defined the lease, drilled and made the discovery. It has the data, information and infrastructure" she concluded.