Critical Infrastructure Security Symposium

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Security—both cybersecurity and traditional physical security—is critically important to all utilities. This new symposium is devoted to the expanding range of security issues that utility telecom and IT professionals must understand and address. For example:

  • Protecting communications network gear in substations from theft
  • Complying with new NERC and NIST cybersecurity requirements
  • Exploring security issues associated with telecom and IT interconnects and data/control transfers

This symposium cuts through the fog of uncertainty so you leave with a clear understanding of how to ensure your utility’s security.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

8:00 a.m.
Past UTC Chairmen’s Invitational Golf Tournament

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Tutorials

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch
ROOM:  Wabash Ballroom 1-2

4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2010 Grand Opening
ROOM: Exhibit Hall D & E

This is attendees’ first opportunity to meet and greet the vendors while enjoying food and drinks in UTC EXPO 2010. This reception is a great way to learn the layout of the exhibit hall and make plans to meet with vendors in the coming days to find out more about their products and services.

Monday, May 24, 2010

8:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast Networking
ROOM: 500 Ballroom Reception

8:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Opening General Session
ROOM: 500 Ballroom

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
ROOM: Maryland Street Lobby-East

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Utility Cybersecurity—Prepare for the Worst
ROOM: 105

Which scares you more: a million-dollar-a-day fine or a terrorist taking control of your SCADA network? NERC-CIP (North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection) standards are now mandatory, with severe penalties for failure to comply, and more cybersecurity requirements are expected from Congress and regulators. Your utility must implement a layered defense system for true physical and cybersecurity. Learn how—now!

John Shaw, Senior Vice President- Products and Technology, Industrial Defender

11:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2010 Open
ROOM: Exhibit Hall D & E

Exclusive exhibit hall time allows attendees to see products and services from the leading vendors supplying critical infrastructure today. As a bonus, UTC has several prize drawings during this time for attendees. You must be present to claim your prize!

12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2010
ROOM: Exhibit Hall D & E

4:30 – 5:45 p.m.
Building Your Control System Security Roadmap—How to Get There From Here
ROOM: 104

If you are trying to develop a roadmap for control system security, you are not alone. There are various different efforts underway among utilities and in coordination with Federal authorities. This session will describe those efforts and provide guidance for you. Find out the latest in standards developments for control system security, during this informative discussion and interactive session!

Tom Kropp, Director- CIP Projects, Nexant, Inc.
John Geiger, Vice President of Engineering, GE Digital Energy – Lentronics & MDS
Rita Wells, Manager/Scada and Process Control Systems, Idaho National Labs

New Video Applications for Utility Security—From Copper Theft to Terror
ROOM: 105

Discover how IP video technology offers cost-effective compliance with physical security requirements and helps protect critical infrastructure. In today’s economic climate, why waste valuable man-hours protecting against copper theft and other criminal activities at off-site locations? Monitoring for terrorists—including physical attacks from the inside—is even more critical. Make sure you know about the new video options and best practices for maximum security.

Alecia Williams, Alcatel-Lucent
Travis John Phifer, Telecommications Engineer, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
UTC Gala
ROOM: Grand Ballroom, Westin Hotel

Race to the UTC Gala for food and fun after a long day attending educational sessions and networking in UTC EXPO 2010.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

POWER HOUR
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Smart Networks Council Open Meeting
ROOM: 103

This meeting of the Smart Networks Council (SNC), a forum created for utility executives responsible for building and managing smart grids and smart network services, will provide an overview of what the Council is, how it operates and how UTC members can participate in the Council's activities. Under its new structure the SNC requires members to sign up for participation in the Council's important efforts. Attend this meeting to find out how the SNC can help you.

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
UTC Apex Award Presentation Ceremony & Breakfast
ROOM: 500 Ballroom


9:15 – 10:30 a.m.
What the Smart Grid Can Learn From Battle-Tested IT Security—the Good, the Bad, and the Easy
ROOM: 105

Smart Grid security standards make the grid’s process control networks look a lot more like IT networks. An advantage of this transformation is the use of IP technologies for remote monitoring of energy devices, as well as managing grid assets and operations. The disadvantage: exposure to cyber-attacks. If a hacker breaks into the network, it could cause a massive blackout that stretches across the country.

The good news is that battle-hardened Internet security technologies and architectural frameworks have evolved to the point where they can be used to keep the Smart Grid safe. The key is implementing an end-to-end security architecture. Learn how best practices in IT networks can easily be applied to utilities.

Dave Dalva, Senior Security Strategist, Cisco Systems

Legal/Regulatory Update – What Washington Has in Store for You!
ROOM: 103

Congress, a variety of federal agencies, and state regulatory commissions are looking at issues that will impact the way utilities can do business in the future. Issues include smart grid deployments, cyber security, consumer data issues, spectrum, cost recovery, rate design and federal/state jurisdiction. Join us to review the upcoming challenges as we peer into the Washington (not so) crystal ball to identify recent initiatives and the trends that will impact your ability to upgrade your communication networks and meet your new utility responsibilities.

Mike Oldak, Vice President & General Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council
Prudence Parks, Federal Affairs Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council

10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2010 Open
ROOM: Exhibit Hall D & E

This is attendees' final opportunity to meet with vendors and see their products and services. Make sure you finish up your tour of UTC EXPO 2010 today! UTC will continue its prize drawings, including a grand prize right before the close. You must be present to claim your prize!

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2010
ROOM: Exhibit Hall D & E

1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Consolidating Risk Controls to Satisfy NERC-CIP
ROOM: 107

Today, electric utilities are faced with the ever-growing threat of cyber intrusion which poses a huge risk to businesses and power customers. While hackers have targeted electric utilities and have been the cause of multiple power outages globally, the problem is one that poses a particular threat to US & Canadian-based entities. Datacenter owners and operators have long been aware of the threat posed by the hacker community, with the potential for more sustained and intricate attacks on the rise. As increasing numbers of intelligent devices, whether smart meters, synchrophasors or intelligent distribution transformers, come online the security issues compound. By putting controls in place to mitigate risk, utilities can confidently expand new business opportunities knowing that their most valuable asset – information – is protected and the controls meet NERC-CIP.

Vaibhav J. Parmar, Global Lead, Smart Grid Communications Infrastructure, Accenture
Rick Hedeman, Global Alliance Director, RSA, the Security Division of EMC Corporation

2:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Networking Break
ROOM: Maryland Street Lobby-East

3:00 – 4:15 p.m.
What You Don’t Know About Smart Grid Security—Yes, it Can Hurt You!
ROOM: 105

With the advent of Smart Grids and two-way communications, utilities face a host of new security challenges. Not only must you navigate the complex issues of cybersecurity, but regulators and lawmakers demand built-in security protections as Smart Grid is implemented. Learn how to ensure the security of your network and use federal tools and resources to help you reach long-term cyber security goals as part of your Smart Grid plan. Keep pace with your peers. Make sure your Smart Grid is a secure grid!

Ernie Hayden, Professional Services Consultant, Verizon
Jonathan Pollet, Founder and Principal Consultant, Red Tiger Security

Washington Roundtable – We're From Washington and Here to Help!
ROOM: 109-110

For better or worse, what goes on in DC and at your state regulatory commission will impact your job and the future of your company. The Federal Communication Commission's National Broadband Plan and the spectrum inventory that sets the stage, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's adoption of interoperability and security standards, and the state regulatory commissions' bold new policies on smart grid deployments will all change your world. Here's your chance to find out "just what were you thinking" during this give-and-take session with those who will be impacting your future, find out exactly what's on their mind, and maybe give them a piece of yours.

Scott Blake Harris, General Counsel, United States Department of Energy
Ray Palmer, Energy Industry Analyst, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
UTC Awards Dinner Reception
ROOM: Capitol Ballroom Foyer, Westin Hotel

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
UTC Awards Dinner
ROOM: Capital Ballroom, Westin Hotel

The UTC Awards Dinner celebrates the achievements of individuals involved in UTC and the industry. Come join us for a semi-formal sit down dinner as we honor individuals for Chairman’s Awards, the Dondanville Award, and the Meehan Award.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
UTC Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast
ROOM: 500 Ballroom

9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
Networking Break
ROOM: Maryland Street Lobby-East

9:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Pole Attachments Regulatory Update Workshop—Avoid a Rude Awakening!
ROOM: 105

Change is coming in pole attachment regulations. Major reform is underway at the FCC, and pole attachment is part of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan. Meanwhile, Congress may amend the Pole Attachment Act to provide ILEC’s with regulated rates for pole attachments and subject municipal and cooperative utilities to regulations. Several states have preempted the FCC’s jurisdiction and are regulating pole attachments themselves. Is this part of a larger trend? How can your utility legally respond? Better get the answers now!

Brett Kilbourne, Director -Regulatory Services & Associate Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council
Jeff Sheldon, Partner, McDermott, Will & Emery
Tom Magee, Partner, Keller & Heckman
Chris Huther, Partner, Sheppard Mullin Ritcher & Hampton

Utility Guide to MPLS Security Options Workshop—the Best of the New
ROOM: 107

Electric utilities are migrating to new IP based multi-service applications and transport for SCADA, voice, video and traditional business data. Yet the control and monitoring networks that operate these infrastructures are among the most vulnerable targets for hackers, extortionists, and disgruntled employees. Join us to examine:

  • Best practices in cybersecurity architecture
  • Issues pertaining to latency, availability and compliance
  • Mitigation of threats including worms, viruses and application level attacks

Learn how organizations can rely on off-the-shelf operating systems and Internet working technologies, including MPLS and VPLS networking.

Lynn Hunt, Vertical Sales Specialist, Industry & Public Sector Solutions- North America, Alcatel-Lucent

Live Demo Workshop: How Information Leakage Can Compromise a Utility—See Actual Security Breaches!
ROOM: 108

The amount of data on the Internet increases exponentially every year. The risk of leakage increases as:

  • Social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter encourage users to upload personal information
  • Utility professionals post technical questions in online vendor forums and blogs
  • Online procurement and project bidding processes include posting of facility blueprints, equipment specs, and drawings

This live demo exposes the risks of publishing information in ways that compromise security, and reveals how to leverage open source intelligence (OSINT) to discover if personal or corporate info has been compromised.

Jonathan Pollet, Founder and Principal Consultant, Red Tiger Security
Joe Cummins, Red Tiger Security

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