The ongoing transformation of the electric grid towards a networked infrastructure introduces additional system security issues. Whether labeled a Smart Grid program; or the inevitable modernization of existing infrastructure; added layers of security standards; controls; policies; and procedures are necessary to keep control of power generation and keep transmission and distribution equipment free from growing unreliability issues and malicious acts. Terrorism; disgruntled employees; inadvertent errors; Internet pranksters or international cyber warfare can sabotage and destroy expensive equipment endangering lives across wide geographies. Security and risk management must be addressed as a high priority in smart grid projects. The best security for smart grids is to identify security enforcement points along the entire value chain; isolate and harden linkages between industrial control systems and other networks by adding layers of security management and performing systematic; periodic vulnerability testing. This session will address how real implementations have overcome security threats and vulnerabilities.

Chairperson:

Jeffrey Katz
Chief Technology Officer, Electric & Utility Industry
IBM

Dr. Katz is involved with the application, development, and innovation of IBM's products, services, technology and research for electric power companies and related organizations. Previously, he worked at ABB Power Generation developing computer systems for nuclear and fossil power plants.

Speakers:

Erfan Ibrahim
Technical Executive in the Intelligrid program area of the Power Delivery & Utilization Sector
Electic Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Dr. Ibrahim is a Technical Executive in the Intelligrid program area of the Power Delivery & Utilization Sector. He leads the research that focuses on the communications, systems management and cyber security infrastructure for the utility Smart Grid with particular emphasis on Home Area Networks (HAN), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Internet based Wide Area Networking.

 

Tim Roxey
Manager of Critical Infrastructure Protection
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

Mr. Roxey is the Manager of Critical Infrastructure Protection and is responsible for development and execution of key critical infrastructure protection initiatives, such as NERC's cyber security risk preparedness assessment and other continuous risk assessment efforts. He also acts as a key coordination point for North American government officials and is a member of the Electricity Sector Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ES-ISAC) activities.

 

Joe Weiss
Managing Partner
Applied Control Solutions

Joseph Weiss is an industry expert on control systems and electronic security of control systems, with more than 35 years of experience in the energy industry. Mr. Weiss serves as a member of numerous organizations related to control system security. These include the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Control Systems Security Working Group (CSSWG), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Technical Committee (TC) 57 Working Group 15 – Data and Communication Security, the Process Controls Security Requirements Forum, CIGRÉ WG D2.22 – Treatment of Information Security for Electric Power Utilities (EPUs), and other industry working groups. He served as the Task Force Lead for review of information security impacts on IEEE standards. He is also a Director on ISA's Standards and Practices Board. Mr. Weiss has received numerous industry awards, including EPRI Presidents Award (2002) and is an ISA Fellow and a member of the ISA Engineering, Science, and Technology Policy Committee.