Session Overview
Secure Systems
Track: Architecture Track
Thursday-Friday 8-9/Nov/2007
Friday 11:30 - 12:45
The advent of standard, open architecture devices and systems in the automation of Electric Sector operational systems has opened the window for new applications, business functionality and interconnections with facilities and end users that were never before imagined possible. The potential for providing new business services and for customers to more efficiently use those services is almost unlimited. Just as the potential for providing new business services is almost unlimited, the potential for cyber security vulnerabilities is also almost unlimited. This session will discuss the areas of cyber security that must be addressed for the secure implementation of the GridWise architecture framework.
Joe Weiss
Interoperability and Security
Applied Control Solutions, LLC
Presenter
Presentation (pdf)
Cyber Security Considerations for Gridwise Architecture
Most control system communication protocols were developed for interoperability reasons with minimal to no security considerations. Interoperability poses an interesting challenge: interoperability generally “opens” systems while security generally “closes” systems. Consequently, there is a need is to develop methodologies for enabling systems with differing degrees of security (from no security to fully-secured) to seamlessly communicate with each other. The grand challenge is to have interoperability while maintaining adequate security. Both need to be included in the initial design considerations for interoperable systems.
Adrian Gheorghe
Batten Chair of Systems Engineering
Old Dominion University
Presenter
Presentation (pdf)
The Advent of the Electricity and Information Paradigm for Critical Electricity Infrastructures
There is no doubt that the growth of power systems and the establishment of the power infrastructure as we know it today, would not have been possible without the extensive use of Information and Communication Systems (ICS). Taking into consideration the capabilities of ICS technologies and the needs of the electric power industry and markets, this trend will continue in the future. There is an urgent need for an understanding of this evolution which, in turn, will help with assessing the positive and negative consequences of this trend.
Darren Highfill
Utility Security Practice Lead
EnerNex Corporation
Presenter
Presentation (pdf)
Security - From Architecture Through Policy To Implementation
The Bradley Substation Project reflects the remote side of TVA’s End-To-End Integration efforts, with security built-in from the ground up. Technical measures dovetail into corporate policy, and empower a system-wide architecture that is changing the way TVA does business. The new paradigm also brings to light new challenges, illustrating opportunities for utilities to drive the market in the direction they want to go rather than being led by the nose to narrow and shallow options. As we have seen in other aspects of engineering, interoperability shows up at the core of these challenges. Combined with the new cyber threat, the future presents us with a call to arms. TVA’s efforts provide the broader community with a wealth of real-world experience from which we may all learn and build. This presentation shows us what we can do when we set our minds to it, and invites dialog about where to go from here.