Protect Our Power hosting February conference to address electric grid security

On Feb. 4, 2019, the non-profit Protect Our Power will host a full day conference in New Orleans to draw attendees together for a discussion of the modern electric grid and how to keep both its physical and cyber assets safe.

They seek to establish a framework of best practices, communicated between the various stakeholders in the grid. That, they feel, is the best way to counteract threats to a system that is critical to daily life.

“The ability of the grid to operate under abnormal conditions is critical,” said Tom Fanning, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company and co-chair of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council, said. “The Protect Our Power conference provides a terrific platform for the industry to focus on the best practices and achieve the resiliency required to protect our American way of life.”

The conference will draw together a variety of public and private speakers to address the situation, including Rod West, Entergy Corporation Group President of Utility Operations; Dale Peterson, creator and program chair of S4 Events; Andy Bochman, senior cyber and energy security strategist for the Idaho National Labs; Jason Christopher, SANS instructor; and others. Aside from their speeches, a breakfast, lunch, reception and networking opportunities will be provided, and attendees will receive complimentary passes to the DistribuTECH exhibition happening that same week.

“EEI is a strong believer in celebrating and sharing our member companies’ best ideas on how to overcome threats and challenges to delivering a reliable supply of electric power,” Tom Kuhn, president of Edison Electric Institute, said. “Protect Our Power at its upcoming conference in New Orleans on Best Practices in Utility Cybersecurity offers valuable insight on what is being done today by some to assure a stronger grid. I highly recommend attending this important event.”