Experts Roundtable on Energy Cybersecurity Coordination and Information Sharing among State, Federal and Utility Officials

Washington, D.C. | Aug. 15, 2019

NGA’s Energy, Infrastructure & Environment team hosted an expert’s roundtable on Aug. 15 in Washington, D.C., on the topic of energy cybersecurity and information sharing among state, federal and utility officials. Establishing and maintaining a secure and reliable energy sector is a top priority for governors, as it is for state regulators and officials, the electricity sector, the oil and gas sector and the federal government. Through collective actions, these players have established productive working relationships and reduced risks to the energy sector posed by natural phenomena, manmade physical and cyber threats.

However, there are a variety of coordination and information sharing gaps that risk slowing additional progress and may challenge response to future incidents. These include:

• Questions surrounding the roles and responsibilities of private industry and government in cybersecurity;
• Challenges sharing sensitive cybersecurity threat information and coordinating response and recovery between states and the energy sectors during a cyber incident; and
• Information silos that may undermine unity of messaging and emergency communications during energy emergencies and cyberattacks.
• Coordination issues that complicate the process for granting state and federal waivers/permits to facilitate mutual aid;

This roundtable discussion convened experts from state government, federal agencies, and the energy sector to identify best practices and solutions to mitigate future cybersecurity threats and respond and recover from cyber-attacks more effectively, particularly focused on coordination and information sharing.

AGENDA | DISCUSSION GUIDE

Thursday, August 15

Registration and Breakfast

Welcome, Discussion of Objectives and Introductions

• Speakers:
  • Sue Gander, Division Director, NGA Solutions: Energy, Infrastructure & Environment
  • Lauren Stienstra, Program Director, NGA Solutions: Homeland Security and Public Safety

Breakout Discussion: Perspectives on Roles and Responsibilities

 

Roundtable Discussion: Defining Roles and Responsibilities Before, During and After a Cybersecurity Energy Incident

• Moderator:
  • Dan Lauf, Program Director, NGA Solutions: Energy, Infrastructure & Environment
• Resource:
  • Smart & Safe: State Strategies for Enhancing Cybersecurity in the Electric Sector

Lunch & Keynote

• Speakers:
  • Kate Marks, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, Department of Energy
  • Resource:
    • Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response

 

PRE-BOOM

Roundtable Discussion: Joint Threat Information Sharing and Coordination for Prevention and Protection before a Cyber Incident

• Moderator:
  • Reza Zommorodian, Policy Analyst, NGA Solutions: Homeland Security and Public Safety

POST-BOOM

Roundtable Discussion: Information Sharing and Coordination During and After an Energy Cybersecurity Incident

• Moderator:
  • Alyse Taylor-Anyikire, Ph.D, Senior Policy Analyst, NGA Solutions: Energy, Infrastructure & Environment

 

Break

 

Getting the Word Out

• Moderator:
  • Lauren Stienstra, Program Director, NGA Solutions: Homeland Security and Public Safety

 

Closing Remarks and Wrap-Up

• Moderator:
  • Dan Lauf, Program Director, NGA Solutions: Energy, Infrastructure & Environment