GridGrid Security Conference focuses on information sharing among stakeholders
More than 300 industry and federal partners are participating in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) annual grid security conference, or GridSecCon, in Philadelphia, which opened on Wednesday and ends today. The conference is focusing on key cyber and physical security issues and training for enhancing the security and resiliency of the North American bulk power system. Topics of panel discussions include upgrades to NERC’s E-ISAC, cyber and physical security technology options, the transition to Version 5 of NERC’s critical infrastructure protection standards; and expectations for NERC’s third grid security exercise, GridEx III, which takes place 18-19 November.
More than 300 industry and federal partners are participating in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) annual grid security conference, or GridSecCon, in Philadelphia, which opened on Wednesday and ends today. The conference is focusing on key cyber and physical security issues and training for enhancing the security and resiliency of the North American bulk power system.
NERC notes that the conference highlights include cyber and physical security perspectives from NERC, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and industry experts; as well as best practices, lessons learned, and other grid security tools.
Gerry Cauley, NERC’s president and chief executive officer, delivered the keynote speech welcoming participants. Cauley highlighted industry’s work in improving information-sharing practices in industry and government and the advancements in public-private partnerships that are essential for the reliability and resiliency of the grid.
“This is NERC’s fifth year hosting GridSecCon and participation continues to grow, which I attribute to the importance of this subject. Industry must continue its focus on enhancing the security and preparedness for potential physical and cyber threats. Conferences like this one help us do that,” Cauley said. “GridSecCon is a vital forum for industry, government partners and other stakeholders to discuss our dynamic industry and emerging issues. I know that we will have an informative dialogue and I look forward to everyone’s comments.”
Other keynote speakers included: Dennis P. Gilbert, director of information and cyber security at Exelon; Caitlin Durkovich, assistant secretary for infrastructure protection at the Department of Homeland Security; John Riggi, senior cyber outreach chief at the FBI; and Jennifer Silk, senior adviser for cyber security at the Department of Energy.
“GridSecCon brings together experts in grid security for a practical discussion of what works best against emerging issues,” said Marcus Sachs, senior vice president and chief security officer at NERC. “The conference also provides an open forum for utilities to talk directly with cyber and physical security experts in various other fields.”
Topics of panel discussions include upgrades to NERC’s E-ISAC, cyber and physical security technology options, the transition to Version 5 of NERC’s critical infrastructure protection standards; and expectations for NERC’s third grid security exercise, GridEx III, which takes place 18-19 November.
Training sessions took place on 13 October and covered the EISAC’s newly upgraded portal, Cyber Risk Preparedness Assessments, a real-time grid security exercise for Iowa, developing an offensive cybersecurity approach, and dealing with new forms of malware.
GridSecCon presentations will be posted on the on NERC’s GridSecCon Web page.
