3rd Annual Utility Cyber Security Forum Coming Up October 6-7, 2021 in Chicago
Event to address the unique cyber threats faced by electric utilities in North America
September 18, 2021 -- The cyber security risk facing electric utilities is of critical and growing importance. The need to protect substations and distribution and transmission networks from cyber attacks is a top priority, as grid SCADA and PLC grid control networks are inherently a weak link for cyber threats.
To help utilities meet this challenge, the 3rd Annual Utility Cyber Security Forum, October 6-7, 2021 in Chicago, organized by the Smart Grid Observer, will offer a unique venue in which utility professionals can network one-on-one with colleagues and share insights into best practices and lessons learned. The very latest cyber security challenges and technologies will be examined in depth with an eye toward what works, what doesn't, and how best to move forward in the current environment. Expert speakers include:
- Curley Henry, Executive Director Cybersecurity Strategy and Architecture, Southern Company
- Charles Salas, Manager, Real-Time Systems Security Engineering, Exelon
- Ahmed Mousa, Utility of the Future Manager, Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G)
- Abraham Jose, Cybersecurity Architect - Industrial Control Systems & IoT, PG&E
- April Morelock Manager, Cyber Security Operations Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
- Liz Escobar, Security, CSM, IT Manager, Duke Energy
- Sri Nikhil Gourisetti, Energy Cybersecurity Research Engineer and Team Lead, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Ramesh Reddi, Senior Cyber Security Advisor, Protect Our Power
- Annabelle Lee, Chief Cybersecurity Specialist, Nevermore Security
- Robin Berthier, Co-Founder & CEO, Network Perception
- Christopher Blauvelt, Global Enablement Engineer - Operational Technology, Fortinet
- Dr. Barry West, Founder and CEO, West Wing Advisory Services, LLC
- Christopher Thompson, Solutions Architect, Synack
- Baksheesh Singh Ghuman, Global Sr. Director, Finite State
- Emil Gurevitch, Senior Security Architect, NES
- Dr. Robin Podmore, President, IncSys
- Rauly Garcia, Technical Team Lead, AI Chatbot Developer, Duke Energy
- Babak Shoja, AI/ML Data Scientist, Duke Energy
Topics to be covered include:
• Cybersecurity Challenges and Directions Forward
• Cyber Security Components of Blockchain Applications in Energy and Utilities
• Network Compliance Automation: How to Streamline the Firewall Audit Process
• White Hack Hacking: Key Strategies and Lessons Learned for Utilities
• Securing the Digital Grid
• Ransomware and the Importance of Zero Trust in Public and Private Sectors
• Security of ML and AI Applications in Energy and Utilities
• How to Protect Modern Substations Against Cyber Attacks
• Why Device and Supply Chain Integrity Are Key to Utility Cyber Security
• Power System and Cyber Security Simulation (Workshop)
• And more
A special pre-conference drink reception and dinner will be held 6:00 – 8:00 pm on October 5 for all registered attendees.
The Forum will be conducted in-person, however attendees may participate virtually via GoToMeeting if their company's travel policy does not yet allow for in-person attendance. Attendees are required to be vaccinated, and all guidelines regarding mask-wearing and other COVID-19 precautions issued by the CDC and State of Illinois will be followed.
“The electric grid in North America is a prime target for advanced cyber attack,” said Daniel Coran, editor of Smart Grid Observer and program manager for the Forum. “This Forum provides a particularly useful venue in which electric utility professionals can share insights and perspectives, and help the industry meet this growing challenge effectively as a whole.”
“It’s critical now more than ever to come together as an industry to share ideas, best practices, and technologies for the betterment of utility cyber security,' said Mark Hodgson, EVP Marketing at Finite State. 'That's why we wanted to get involved in this year's Utility Cyber Security Forum as a sponsor. Finite State is looking forward to bringing our unique perspective on product security for connected devices and its role in protecting critical infrastructure to advance the industry conversation, as well as provide useful and practical information on how to better defend against these kinds of threats.”
'The rise of highly sophisticated attacks against our critical infrastructure means that collaboration among utilities, security professionals, and authorities is more important than ever,” said Robin Berthier, CEO at Network Perception. “The Forum offers a unique opportunity to foster the conversations needed to better protect our critical assets.'
The Forum will feature tabletop exhibits and ample time for networking among attendees during coffee breaks and two evening drink receptions. Platinum sponsors are: Synack, Network Perception, Agile, and Finite State. Gold sponsors are Omicron and Fortinet.
A limited number of complimentary passes to attend in-person or virtually both day are available for utility employees. For full information and to register, visit https://smartgridobserver.com/security
The Forum is organized by the Smart Grid Observer, an online information portal and weekly e-newsletter serving the global smart energy industry. The publication serves a global readership of executives and practitioners in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industry. For a free subscription, visit www.smartgridobserver.com.
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Upcoming Events of Interest from SGO:
3rd Utility Cyber Security Forum, October 6-7, 2021, Chicago
https://smartgridobserver.com/security/index.htm
2nd Long-Duration Energy Storage Forum, November 16-17, 2021, Sacramento, CA
https://www.smartgridobserver.com/storage
8th Annual Demand Response & Distributed Energy Resources World Forum, October 12-14, 2021 in Los Angeles
https://www.smartgridobserver.com/DER-Forum/
6th Annual Smart Cities Technology Symposium & Exhibition, January 18-19, 2022, Chicago
https://smartcities-symposium.com/
14th Microgrid Global Innovation Forum - North America, February 15-16, 2022, Sacramento
https://www.microgridinnovation.com/North-America/
15th Microgrid Global Innovation Forum - EMEA, April 12-14, 2022, London
https://www.microgridinnovation.com/EMEA/
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