Utility Cyber Security Forum 2021 | Smart Grid Observer | 6 October 2021 | TechNexus Conference Center, 20 N Upper Wacker Dr, 12th floor, Chicago, IL, USA 60606

According to recent analysis by KPMG, about half (49%) of power and utility CEOs surveyed say that becoming a victim of a cyber attack is now a case of 'when', and not 'if'. Despite this, only half (51%) say that their organizations are well-prepared to deal with a cyber attack.

The need to protect substations and distribution and transmission infrastructure from cyber attacks is of paramount importance to utilities, as grid SCADA and PLC grid control networks are inherently a weak link for cyber threats.

To help utilities meet this challenge, SGO's 3rd Utility Cyber Security Forum, October 6-7, 2021 in Chicago, offers a focused venue in which utility executives can network one-on-one with colleagues facing similar issues. Presentations by leading White Hat hackers, vendors, utilities and technology thought leaders provide invaluable insight and guidance into making the network secure from cyber threat. The interactive format allows for a focused, networking-centric setting in which utility peers and solution providers can share insights and lessons learned.

Topics to be addressed include:
• Cyber security as it relates to reliability and system safety
• Designing defense-in-depth networking strategies
• Dealing with various protocols in the network (utility protocols, manufacturing protocols, etc.)
• Data protection
• Architecting a network security solution to address cyber threats
• Blockchain applications in a distributed energy scenario
• Creating a culture of cyber compliance within a utility
• Holisitc approaches to achieving greater network visibility
• CIP 13 - vendor management - what does it entail?
• Integrating natural gas, oil and pipeline industry as it relates to smart grid, SCADA & control systems security
• Addressing the IT / OT divide
• Protecting substations and distribution and transmission infrastructure from cyber attacks
• Dealing with advanced persistent threats that exploit flaws in industrial control systems
• Cyber security for operational technologies and smart systems
• Ensuring grid SCADA and PLC grid control networks cyber security
• What works, what doesn't, and what to put in place
• Next-gen technology advances for industrial control systems security
• Best practices in reducing human sources of vulnerability
• And more

2021 Speakers

Curley Henry
Executive Director, Cybersecurity Strategy and Architecture, Southern Company

Dr. Barry West
Founder and CEO, West Wing Advisory Services, LLC

Charles Salas
Manager, Real-Time Systems Security Engineering, Exelon Corporation

Ahmed Mousa
Utility of the Future (UOF) Manager, Electric & Gas Asset Strategy, Asset Management & Centralized Services, Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G)

April Morelock, CISSP, CISA, CRISC
Manager, Cyber Security Operations, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)

Abraham Jose, GICSP, CISA, TOGAF
Cybersecurity Architect - Industrial Control Systems & IoT, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Ramesh Reddi
Senior Cyber Security Advisor, Protect Our Powe

Annable Lee
Chief Cybersecurity Specialist, Nevermore Security

Liz Escobar, CISSP
CEH, CCNA Security, CSM, IT Manager at Duke Energy, Duke Energy

Sri Nikhil Gourisetti, Ph.D., CISSP
Energy Cybersecurity Research Engineer, and Team Lead - Cyber Systems, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL

Robin Berthier
Co-Founder and CEO, Network Perception

Christopher Thompson
Solutions Architect, Synack, Inc.

Christopher Blauvelt
Global Enablement Engineer - Operational Technology, Fortinet

Steel McCreery
Application Engineer, Power Utility Communications NA, Omicron Electronics Canada Corp.

Baksheesh Singh Ghuman
Global Sr. Director of Product Marketing & Strategy, Finite State

Emil Gurevitch
Senior Security Architect, NES

2021 Sponsors

PLATINUM SPONSOR:
• Synack
• Agile Sourcing Partners
• Network Perception
• Finite State

GOLD SPONSOR:
• OMICRON
• Fortinet