Substation Physical Security Best Practices
July 23-24, 2018 | Chicago, IL

Overview
Protecting the nation’s electric substations and ensuring a reliable supply of energy are top priorities for the electric power industry. The shear vastness and in some cases, remoteness, of the infrastructure requires that utilities prioritize facilities that, if damaged, would have the most severe impacts on reliability and the utilities ability to keep the lights on.
EUCI’s physical security best practices conference will review preparation, prevention, resiliency plans for substations and examine the effectiveness of security measures while reviewing the potential impacts to operations and maintenance of these substations. Substation case studies will be reviewed as well as detailed recommendations for the ultimate perimeter protection of substations.
Learning Outcomes
- Review the Department of Homeland Security’s keynote remarks on the state of utility security
- List the steps to a holistic security approach for unique substations characteristics
- Describe some experiences in transitioning to event-based security
- Review a comprehensive list of steps for commissioning a security system
- Define the aspects of the latest generation of compact radar technology for substations
- Engage in a panel discussion on challenges facing substation security
- Review Exelon’s efforts and lessons learned on substation security
- Discuss and review lessons learned on a utility’s challenges faced in retrofitting existing stations
- Describe in detail the benefits to public private relationships in utility security at substations
Credits
EUCI has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, EUCI has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. As a result of their Authorized Provider status, EUCI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.
EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this event.
Requirements for Successful Completion of Program
Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.
Instructional Methods
Case studies, PowerPoint presentations, and group discussion will be used in this event.
Agenda
Monday, July 23, 2018
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. :: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. :: Welcome Remarks
8:40 – 9:30 a.m. :: Keynote Presentation
Agency Representative, Department of Homeland Security, Officer of Infrastructure Protection
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. :: Substation Physical Security: A Leading Edge
Outside traditional fencing and locks, substation security has largely remained an afterthought and unchanged until the introduction of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) in 2009. CIP brought about a new way to look at substations as did CIP-014 six years later. Today, we look at all substations as they should be, the leading edge of the utilities in a diverse and ever-changing world vulnerable to a host of risks. Those same risks however, exist throughout physical security and need to be included in a holistic approach keeping substations’ unique characteristics at the forefront.
- A brief history of security vs. compliance at substations
- Technology advancement for systems (changes during beginning a program and years later when it might be complete).
- Impact of NERC Requirements for Physical Security for Low Impact Substations
- Posture of CIP 14 substations, how is the level of security different/CIP 14 Physical Security plans
- Security Strategy Development – As our threat environment gets more and more diverse both in actors as well as methods, a well thought out and scalable security strategy is a must
Blake Beale, Manager, Physical Security Compliance and Security Systems, Xcel Energy
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. :: Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Event-Based Layered Security for Electric Utilities
Electric utilities today are evolving the way physical security solutions are envisioned, integrated, and used. This presentation will share experiences with utility industry leaders in transitioning to event-based (not continuous monitoring-based) security using technologies well integrated to provide multiple layers of surveillance in which each layer fills gaps not fully addressed by other layers.
Mike Stokes, President, Observation Without Limits, LLC
Neil Marbut, Substation Services Manager, Alabama Power Company
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. :: Group Luncheon
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. :: Substation Physical Security Commissioning
Expectations from security integrators and installation vendors prior to commissioning. Overview of testing system testing and checks in the commissioning process. What to expect post commissioning and lessons learned.
Tom Positano, Physical Security Systems Analyst, Exelon
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. :: Compact Radar Solutions for Substation Security Enhancement
High security applications include layers of protection. This session will cover applications of the latest generation of compact radar technology to solve security needs for substations.
Rod Hurley, North American Sales Manager, Fiber SenSys, Inc.
John Hunsucker, Applications Engineer, SpotterRF
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. :: Networking Break
3:30 – 4:45p.m. :: Panel Discussion on Challenges Facing Substation Security
Brian P. Kelley, Vice President – Power Delivery Group, Sargent & Lundy
Blake Beale, Manager, Physical Security Compliance and Security Systems, Xcel Energy
Mike Stokes, President, Observation Without Limits, LLC
Tom Positano, Physical Security Systems Analyst, Exelon
Mark Kirby, Market Manager, Power Utility, Ameristar Perimeter Security
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. :: Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. :: Substation Security Best Practices
Review Exelon’s efforts and lessons learned on substation security.
- Security Vulnerability Assessments
- Design Approach, Systems Integration, Monitoring, Maintenance
- NERC implications (CIP6 and CIP14)
- Public private partnerships (Local, State, Infragard, E-ISAC, ECTF, etc.)
Tom Elward, CPP, Security Specialist, Infrastructure Protection Corporate & Information Security Services, Exelon Corporation
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. :: A Utility Case Study on Improving Substation Security
This presentation will discuss, and review lessons learned on a utility’s challenges faced in retrofitting existing stations with security to meet regulations and owner requirements.
Brian P. Kelley, Vice President – Power Delivery Group, Sargent & Lundy
Invited Utility Speaker
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. :: Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Public Private Partnerships for Enhanced Substation Security
This presentation will discuss in detail the benefits to public private relationships in utility security including security at substations. Some of the agencies and programs discussed with be Infragard, Local and State, E-ISAC, ECTF, and more.
Agent Representative, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Tom Elward, CPP, Security Specialist, Infrastructure Protection Corporate & Information Security Services, Exelon Corporation
12:00 p.m. :: Adjournment
Speakers
Blake Beale, Manager, Physical Security Compliance and Security Systems, Xcel Energy
Tom Elward, CPP, Security Specialist, Infrastructure Protection Corporate & Information Security Services, Exelon Corporation
John Hunsucker, Applications Engineer, SpotterRF
Rod Hurley, North American Sales Manager, Fiber SenSys, Inc.
Brian P. Kelley, Vice President – Power Delivery Group, Sargent & Lundy
Tom Positano, Physical Security Systems Analyst, Exelon
Mike Stokes, President, Observation Without Limits, LLC
Location
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
163 E Walton Pl
Chicago, IL 60611
To reserve your room, please call 1-312-751-8100
Please indicate that you are with the EUCI group to receive the group rate.
Room Rate:
The room rate is $189.00 single or double plus applicable taxes.
Room Block Dates:
A room block has been reserved for the nights of July 22 – 23, 2018.
Rate Available Until:
Make your reservations prior to June 24, 2018. There are a limited number of rooms available at the conference rate. Please make your reservations early.
Register
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