Cyber Infrastructure for the Smart Electric Grid
As the electric grid evolves into a highly interconnected smart system, ensuring its cybersecurity becomes paramount.
UND's Cyber Infrastructure for Smart Electric Grids: Enhancing Security and Resilience Workshop was held October 29, 2024. It brought together utility professionals, academic researchers, and national lab experts to address the emerging challenges in protecting modern electric infrastructure.
About the Workshop
This workshop covered key topics such as the integration of advanced sensing and communication technologies, effective data management strategies, and robust control mechanisms essential for maintaining grid stability amidst increasing complexity.
Participants explored the critical differences between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) security and learn best practices for fostering a resilient and secure smart grid.
| Time | Topic | Description | Led by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-12:30 p.m. | Session 1: Introduction to Smart Grid, DoE Strategies and Cyber Security Challenges |
Overview of the evolving electric grid, U.S. Dept. of Energy Strategies, the integration of advanced technologies, and the necessity for a new understanding of grid complexity. Addressing the cybersecurity challenges unique to smart grids, with a focus on protecting the infrastructure against cyber threats. Objective: Provide a foundational understanding of the smart grid, focusing on its components and the technological advancements driving this transformation. Raise awareness about the security risks in smart grids and discuss best practices for ensuring a secure infrastructure. |
Barry Jones, Western Area power administration (WAPA), DoE |
| 12:30-1 p.m. | Session 2: Sensing and Communication in Smart Grids |
Exploration of the sensing technologies and communication networks essential for smart grid operations. Objective: Understand the role of sensors and communication networks in monitoring and managing grid operations, highlighting interdependencies and challenges. |
Anurag Srivastava, WVU |
| 1-1:30 p.m. | Session 3: Control Mechanisms and Applications in Smart Grids |
Examination of the control systems used in smart grids, including control for distributed energy resources (DERs) and EMS applications. Objective: Provide insights into the control strategies necessary for maintaining grid reliability and security in the presence of DERs. |
Anurag Srivastava, WVU |
| 1:30-2 p.m. | Session 4: Computation and Data Management in Smart Grids |
Discussion on computation requirements, data management strategies, and their critical role in processing the vast amounts of data generated by smart grids for energy management. Objective: Equip participants with knowledge about data management, data analytics, machine learning applications, and computational requirements for smart grid applications at the substation and control center. |
Venkatesh Venkataramanan, NREL |
| 2-3 p.m. | Session 5 OT vs IT Security concepts, Mechanisms and Challenges |
A detailed look at the interdependencies between IT/OT, and challenges in working together to realize a resilient system. Objective: Provide participants with knowledge about security concepts for IT/OT, basic security mechanisms, security frameworks, NERC CIP and guidelines. |
Venkatesh Venkataramanan, NREL |
| 3-3:30 p.m. | Session 6 Cyber Resilience and Metric |
A detailed look at defining resilience and metric based resilience monitoring. Objective: Provide participants with concepts of resilience against cyber-attack. |
Anurag Srivastava, WVU |
| 3:30 - 4 p.m. | Session 7 Enabling Cyber-Resilient Electric Grid and Path Forward |
Outlook for the security and resilience of the electric grid. Objective: Understand the past-paced changing landscape of cyber infrastructure of the power grid and evolving security concepts. |
Andrew Ginter, Waterfall Security Solutions |
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Andrew Ginter leads a team of experts who work with the world’s most secure industrial enterprises. Before Waterfall, he led the development of high-end industrial control system products at Hewlett-Packard, of IT/OT middleware products at Agilent Technologies, and of the world’s first industrial SIEM at Industrial Defender. Andrew is the author of three books on industrial/OT cybersecurity, a co-author of the Industrial Internet Security Framework, and a co-author of the UITP report on cybersecurity requirements in rail system tendering. He co-hosts the Industrial Security Podcast and contributes regularly to industrial security standards and best-practice guidance.
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Andrew Ginter leads a team of experts who work with the world’s most secure industrial enterprises. Before Waterfall, he led the development of high-end industrial control system products at Hewlett-Packard, of IT/OT middleware products at Agilent Technologies, and of the world’s first industrial SIEM at Industrial Defender. Andrew is the author of three books on industrial/OT cybersecurity, a co-author of the Industrial Internet Security Framework, and a co-author of the UITP report on cybersecurity requirements in rail system tendering. He co-hosts the Industrial Security Podcast and contributes regularly to industrial security standards and best-practice guidance.
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Barry Jones is affiliated with the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and has played a significant role in power administration and energy reliability standards development. He has been involved with drafting teams focused on critical infrastructure protection (CIP) standards and other operational procedures within the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). framework.
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Andrew Ginter leads a team of experts who work with the world’s most secure industrial enterprises. Before Waterfall, he led the development of high-end industrial control system products at Hewlett-Packard, of IT/OT middleware products at Agilent Technologies, and of the world’s first industrial SIEM at Industrial Defender. Andrew is the author of three books on industrial/OT cybersecurity, a co-author of the Industrial Internet Security Framework, and a co-author of the UITP report on cybersecurity requirements in rail system tendering. He co-hosts the Industrial Security Podcast and contributes regularly to industrial security standards and best-practice guidance.
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