Cybersecurity for the Smart Grid - Panel Discussion

#smart-grid#cybersecurity#cyber-attack

The nation’s energy infrastructure, particularly the power grid, has become a major target, with more frequent and sophisticated attacks from nation-states and cyber criminals. Cyber incidents could disrupt energy services, damage highly specialized equipment, and threaten public health and safety. Utilities across North America have been investing billions of US dollars for several decades to make their systems robust to mitigate cyber-attacks from hackers. This panel discussion will be a great opportunity for students, young professionals, field technicians and engineers to have a general overview on cybersecurity issues and challenges of utilities in North America. Join us on our first seminar on Cybersecurity with IEEE Toronto Section- Communications Chapter. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Panel Speakers:

Eman Hammad

Cybersecurity professional & interdisciplinary professional

Dr. Eman Hammad is a cybersecurity professional & interdisciplinary professional focusing on trustworthy & resilient complex systems and emerging technologies. She obtained her PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto. Eman combines practical experience and theoretical research to shape her vision for resilient-by-design solutions in the connected world. She is the director of the innovations in Systems Trust & Resilience (iSTAR) lab. Eman's work has been published in more than 50 papers, and was recognized with merit awards (best paper award, best poster award) and has been featured on multiple outlets. Most recently, she was honored as one of Canada's Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity. Eman is a senior IEEE member currently serving as Toronto ComSoc chair, and the co-chair of the IEEE 5G Security working group for the International Network Generations Roadmap (INGR). She delivered numerous invited talks in academic and industrial conferences, chaired and co-chaired several conferences and workshops, and participated in several panels. She serves on the advisory board of several initiatives. Eman is an active advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM and Cybersecurity. Her service has been recognized by IEEE exceptional, chapter achievement, and exemplary service awards.

Grant Vandebrake        

Senior Global Systems Engineer -Phoenix Contact Development and Manufacturing Inc. 

Grant Vandebrake has 9 years' experience in industrial controls and network security, of which 5 have been working specifically with critical infrastructure. Grant started with Phoenix contact in 2013 as a solutions engineer, programming PLC applications for customers primarily related to SCADA. From there he started working on securing remote SCADA connections using Phoenix Contact's security products. In 2019 Grant completed the SANS course for industrial control systems security and received his GICSP certification. Currently, Grant supports network and security application design in critical infrastructure markets for Phoenix Contact globally.

Harneet Panesar

Ontario Energy Board’s Chief Operating Officer

Harneet Panesar was appointed as the Ontario Energy Board’s Chief Operating Officer in June 2021. He provides executive leadership to the teams in Applications, Consumer Protection & Industry Performance, Operations Decision Support and the Registrar’s Office. Harneet plays a key, leading role in operationalizing a refreshed strategic vision and direction as the Ontario Energy Board drives to be a top Quartile Regulator.  He has spent the last 14 years in progressively responsible positions at Hydro One, one of the largest electric utilities in North America, most recently in the role of Director of Strategy and Integrated Planning. Harneet has a B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. He is a part-time lecturer at Ryerson University, teaching a Professional Master’s Diploma in Energy and Innovation. Harneet was awarded a Fellowship with Engineers Canada for his work with Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and service to the engineering profession.

Will Edwards P.Eng.

Infrastructure Defense Cyber Services Leader- Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)

William Edwards received his B.S.E.E. from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2011. He joined Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) in 2011, where he presently leads the Infrastructure Defense Cyber Services team. William is a member of the IEEE, a certified information systems security professional, and a registered professional engineer in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee. 

Young Ngo

Survalent Technology Corporation – Chief Technology Officer

Young is the Chief Technology Officer at Survalent Technology Corporation. He is responsible for developing and driving product strategy to deliver business requirements. With over 30 years of experience within the electricity and energy sector, Young has a broad range of experience in managing technology companies. Young also has a broad knowledge of grid operations, smart grid technologies and distributed energy resources. Young’s previous roles include President & CEO for Kinects Solutions, General Manager for Kinectrics, and Director at Honeywell USA. He has a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey in addition to Master of Business Administration from Columbia University, New York.

Panel Moderator:

Hugo Sanchez-Reategui

Stations-Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Engineer-Alectra Utilities Corporation

Hugo Sanchez-Reategui is currently Stations-Distributed Energy Resources (DER) engineer with Alectra Utilities Corporation (Ontario, Canada), previously was a DER consultant with Alectra Utilities for 10 years confirming technical requirements to connect DER projects into the Distribution and Sub Transmission System, working with multiple internal stakeholders, developers, cities, government agencies, other LDCs (Local Distribution Companies), etc. Hugo is member of Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and Professional Engineer Licensed since 2013, Senior Member of IEEE and CIGRE Canada Member. In addition, Hugo was a Committee Chair of Industry Relations of IEEE Toronto from 2016 and 2018 and he was VP of Public Relations of Humber Shores Toastmasters in 2012 and 2015. Hugo is an active volunteer for IEEE, CIGRE and universities; he supports student branches across GTA, chapters, conferences organized by IEEE Canada and other events as a panelist, moderator, and speaker.