DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO PROTECT YOUR CYBER ASSETS, ACHIEVE ECONOMIC COMPLIANCE AND IMPLEMENT TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS

The Cyber Security For Energy Delivery Conference is now closed.

The 2011 Cyber Security For Energy Delivery Conference brought together the top senior decision makers from the Cyber Security and Energy Delivery industry including 20 utility representatives. The conference delegates enjoyed two days of outstanding networking and information sharing taking away the latest updates, case studies and industry developments to aid future planning.

Highlights included:

• NERC CIP Version 4 - How it Differs and What to Expect by Jim Brenton, Regional Security Coordinator, ERCOT
• Threat Mitigation Case Study from the DOE Argonne National Lab by Scott Pinkerton, Cyber Security Program Manager, Argonne National Laboratory
• Department of Energy Cyber Security Initiatives by Samara Moore, Senior Advisor for Cyber Security, Department of Energy

Don't worry if you missed out on this ground breaking event you can access all the conference presentations and all the audio files register for the post conference materials here

Attend the inaugural Cyber Security for Energy Delivery Conference to meet major utilities, key government agencies and specialist solution providers from across North America. This is set to be the premier cyber security event.

A focused AGENDA for 2011: Focuses on the issues and challenges at the heart of ensuring long term and economic security and compliance:

• NERC CIP compliance: An in-depth look at the latest version of NERC CIP to develop an economic strategy to maintain compliance.
• Standards and Regulations: Establish a forward thinking plan to secure and comply; discussing future developments within the regulations.
• Mitigating the Threat: Understand the potential threats and how to mitigate. Including an in-depth look at STUXNET.
• Risk Management: Build effective strategies to increase resiliency, improve response time and enhance overall system robustness.
• Protecting an open system:  Cross-functional strategies to protect your connections, embedded devices and process systems.
• Integrating Operational and Information Technology: Learn techniques to overlay new technology onto real time and legacy systems. Build strategies to economically handle future advances.

To view the full agenda, click here

The stress and pressure on the Power and Utilities industry both to implement Smart Grid Technologies but to also respond to Cyber Security threats and to demands by the regulators have never been stronger. David Spinks, Chairman, CSIRs

5 REASONS TO ATTEND

Designed to improve your experience on site and maximize your investment in the summit

1. 200+ senior level industry leaders attending for you to meet and network with
2. Exclusive case studies from major private and public utilities including Southern Company, ERCOT, DTE Energy, SDG&E, Seattle City & Light, DTE Energy, SRP
3. Hosting EnergySec and NESCO discussion groups to bring key asset owners together
4. Exclusive Department of Homeland Security Cyber Security training course and workshop to ensure your control systems are secure
5. Hosting the ASAP – SG working group initiative to keep you informed of the latest smart grid standards

Reserve your place today, to ensure your place amongst industry leaders

As Chairman of CSIRS we would recommend attendance at the EyeforEnergy event taking place in San Jose in September 2011. I have been impressed with the level of understanding and research undertaken by the organizers, the quality of speakers will surely make this an event no one will want to miss. David Spinks, Chairman, CSIRs

WHY THIS CONFERENCE IS SO CRUCIAL NOW: A LETTER FROM THE CONFERENCE DIRECTOR

In the past few years there have been land mark changes to the power grid; from the implementation of smart grid technology, to the game changing power of Stuxnet. This is without mentioning the possibility of $million / day fines with the introduction of NERC CIPs standards. Key to all of these is the security of your critical assets. With milestone changes to NERC CIP standards and DoE lead regulatory initiatives it is more important than ever to stay ahead of the game.

The US smart grid industry is expected to exceed $42.8 billion by 2014 making is vital both for the security of the power grid but also for economic growth to invest and develop cyber security solutions in tandem with these developments. Cyber security solutions will account for 15% of the total smart grid capital. Security measures are vital to protect the electrical grid from intentional and unintentional attacks and strengthen resiliency against natural disasters. The greatest investments will be in updating the transmission network and distribution automation.

The ubiquitous roll out of smart grid technology and intelligent devices has the real potential for the communication infrastructure needed to support this to be on a scale greater than the internet. This clearly demonstrates the magnitude of investment opportunities but also the security challenges that lie ahead. Between 2010 and 2015 Cumulative investment in the security sector of the energy industry will top $21 billion with annual revenue in excess of $3.7 billion. North America will account for the largest market share, with $1.5 billion revenue.

With the introduction of NERC CIP regulations and the real potential of $million a day fines this has become an issue not solely of security but of compliance. These regulations are set to change greatly over the next 12 months with the introduction of a clear bright line to define critical infrastructure the amount of assets falling into this category is set to rocket. This is going to be a time of great confusion where the platform to share best practice from those who are already dealing with these challenges could prove indispensible.

The reality of an attack was brought to shocking realization with Stuxnet last year. This has brought the issue of security to the forefront of the industry and highlighting that cyber security is a matter of safety and reliability. Efforts to enhance robustness of the power system are accelerating thanks to Department of Energy stimulus programs, NIST standard initiatives and the highlighting of FERC priorities.

No one wants to be the weak link in the power grid but maintaining security and compliance in a rapidly evolving industry is costly, time consuming and technically challenging. In order to overcome these issues it is essential that the public and private sector work together to build clear strategies based on best practice and forward planning. In order to successfully do this is necessary to tackle the following challenges:

The Cyber Security for Energy Delivery Conference will supply your business with the critical intelligence and the tools you need to build a cost effective, time efficient cyber security strategy.  Delivered by the best in the industry – you’ll be able to take away key lessons and tried and tested action plans that you can implement to mitigate risk; saving you millions of USD in compliance and reliability.

The Cyber Security for Energy Delivery Conference will bring together 200 cyber security subject matter and industry experts for two days of business critical strategy, unrivalled networking and stimulating discussions. 

With senior level representatives from both public and privately owned utilities, lead specialist solution providers, expert service companies and government and trade bodies – can you afford to miss out?

I look forward to seeing you in San Jose in September.

Kindest regards,

Natasha Sheel
Senior Industry Analyst
EyeforEnergy