This Utility University course is open to any attendee with an all-access or utility all-access badge. These courses are first come, first served onsite in Dallas, however, pre-registration is still required. To pre-register, please visit the registration resource center or reach out to info@distributech.com.

Cybersecurity is transforming electric utility operations, necessary for ensuring reliability, and being implemented on more T&D systems. Why? Utility transmission and distribution protection, automation, and control systems are increasingly connected to external systems and as such, are targeted by malicious actors using sophisticated techniques. Regulations such as North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) require utilities to manage cyber risk for bulk energy systems. However, many cyber systems are low impact or out of the scope of those standards. These operational systems also have cyber risk, and all OT systems should have cybersecurity controls applied commensurate with the assessed risk.

This course will introduce cybersecurity to attendees and cover core topics to protect utility T&D systems and enhance cybersecurity beyond NERC CIP compliance. It will also include Security by Design recommendations for projects, including new greenfield installations.

Prerequisites:

• Basic computer skills
• Familiarity with utility transmission and distribution systems 

Acquired Knowledge: 

• Awareness of cybersecurity and the threat landscape
• Knowledge to conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment
• Apply cybersecurity concepts to key systems to mitigate risk