Washington DC | July 12, 2016

The Future of the Grid:
Spotlight on Cybersecurity

Last December, a coordinated cyber attack cut power to more than 100 Ukrainian cities and towns by leveraging commonly available tools and tactics against the control systems which could be used against infrastructure in every sector. This attack represents one of the first known physical impacts to critical infrastructure resulting from cyber warfare. Could a similar cyber grid attack happen in the U.S.?

July 12 - Tuesday

8:30 am

Networking Breakfast

9:00 am

Welcome Remarks

Speakers

9:05 am

Opening Conversation: Building a Framework for Securing Infrastructure

The U.S. electrical grid, which serves more than 300 million people and is made up of more than 55,000 transmission substations, is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in the country. Due to the interdependent structure of the components of the grid, a single line outage can cause power outages that affect millions of people and have significant costs on the economy. Specific attacks such as data interception, denial of service, data altercation, or a cyber “drive by shooting” have been used by groups, individuals, and nation-states against electrical grids. How do we prevent a catastrophic cyber attack on the U.S. power grid?

Speakers

9:25 am

Challenges to the Industry and Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards

As industry works to secure the grid, alignment and collaboration between critical infrastructure owners and operators is crucial. What are the core challenges utilities are facing in protecting the grid from cyber attacks? What are the capability gaps? What incentive structures might encourage industry to better support the grid? How is industry thinking beyond just compliance and engaging with new innovations and strategies?

Speakers

9:55 am

Panel: A Comprehensive Approach to Grid Security

As cyber threats continue to grow, maintaining a secure grid will requires a comprehensive approach to securing the grid that runs across detection, monitoring, and response. How can regulators and industry leaders work together to improve threat intelligence and secure the whole supply chain in a collaborative way? Speakers will be challenge to collaborate on a comprehensive approach to securing the grid that encompasses the whole energy ecosystem and enables best practices.

Speakers

  • Rob Barnett

    Senior Analyst -- Energy Policy, Bloomberg Intelligence

  • Scott Aaronson

    Executive Director, Security and Business Continuity, Edison Electric Institute

  • Dennis P. Gilbert, Jr.

    Director of Information and Cybersecurity, Corporate and Information Security Services, Exelon

  • Suzanne Spaulding

    Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

10:25 am

Understanding and Responding to the National Security Threat

A large scale attack on the cyber grid could lead to sustained power outages and also impact access to food and water, health care, and other critical needs. As a result, securing the electric grid has become an increasingly critical national security issue. How can utilities and federal agencies anticipate the timing and sources of potential attacks and work to prevent the potential repercussions of a successful cyber attack?

Speakers

10:40 am

Closing Remarks

Speakers

Megan Murphy

Editor Bloomberg Businessweek

Eric A. Spiegel

President and CEO Siemens USA

Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall

Deputy Secretary U.S. Department of Energy

Michael Riley

Cybersecurity Reporter Bloomberg

Sue Kelly Sue Kelly

CEO American Public Power Association

Annabelle Lee

Principal Technical Executive and Cybersecurity Power Delivery and Utilization Electric Power Research Institute

Marcus H. Sachs

Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer NERC

Zeeshan Sheikh

CIO Entergy

Rob Barnett

Senior Analyst -- Energy Policy Bloomberg Intelligence

Scott Aaronson

Executive Director, Security and Business Continuity Edison Electric Institute

Dennis P. Gilbert, Jr.

Director of Information and Cybersecurity, Corporate and Information Security Services Exelon

Suzanne Spaulding

Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Michael V. Hayden

Co-Chair, Electric Grid Cybersecurity Initiative Bipartisan Policy Center

Partners

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. Siemens has also been in the transportation business for over 160 years, introducing the first electric railway in 1879 and has since worked on rail projects across the globe. The Siemens Mobility Division provides efficient and integrated transportation of people and goods by both rail and highways by designing and manufacturing across the entire spectrum of rolling stock including commuter and regional passenger trains, light rail and streetcars, metros, locomotives, passenger coaches and high-speed trainsets. In the U.S., Siemens is providing rail vehicles, locomotives, components and systems to more than 25 agencies in cities such as Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Denver, Baltimore, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Houston, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, St. Louis, Atlanta and Charlotte. Cities also rely on Siemens to provide traction-power substations and electricity transmission, as well as signaling and control technology for freight and passenger rail and transit systems. Siemens has transportation manufacturing hubs in: Sacramento, CA; Louisville, KY; Marion, KY; Pittsburgh, PA.