Florida Public Service Commissioner discusses cybersecurity at Harvard Electricity Policy Group meeting

Florida Public Service Commissioner Andrew Giles Fay was recently invited to discuss the topic of cybersecurity on the electric grid at the Harvard Electricity Policy Group (HEPG) meeting on Dec. 6 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“Cybersecurity has been, and continues to be, one of my main areas of interest,” Fay said. “I was honored to be a part of such a prestigious group of experts to discuss the challenges that lie ahead.”

The discussion dealt with policy issues and challenges regarding the monitoring, oversight, and analysis of implementing cybersecurity designs. Commissioner Fay discussed the importance of expert knowledge of electricity operations and complex IT systems to risk-based security design strategies.

“Participating in this discussion on emerging cybersecurity policy, standards, and oversight and the possible effects on the design and operation of electricity systems is timely and vitally important,” Fay said.

Ryan Ellis, assistant professor of Communications at Northeastern University, and Thomas O’Brien, senior vice president and chief information officer at PJM Interconnection, joined Fay on the panel.

The HPEG is part of the Harvard Kennedy School and explores policy issues surrounding electricity restructuring.