Do you know what your expanded responsibilities are under the new Cyber Security Standards recently enacted by the North American Energy Reliability Council (NERC)? They are significant. The best place for any utility telecom profession responsible for managing critical control networks to learn about them is at UTC’s SCADA & Control Systems Management Symposium. This symposium will focus on the NERC Cyber Security Standards as well as the latest advancement in SCADA best practices and technologies to help you ensure the security and reliability of these systems. You will be amazed by some of the presentations as our expert speakers will help you find and fix potential weaknesses in your SCADA and control systems.
| Sun, May 06 |
| 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM |
UTC EXPO 2007 Grand Opening
Kick off UTC EXPO 2007, the exhibit hall of UTC TELECOM 2007, with other attendees along with UTC's technology partners with food, drinks and networking in the hall. Walk around and meet old and new friends as you get a glimpse of what UTC EXPO 2007 has to offer.
|
|
| Mon, May 07 |
| 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM |
Opening General Session
Kick off UTC TELECOM 2007 at the Opening General Session on Monday morning where we will introduce all attendees to this year’s theme: Learning. Connecting. Celebrating. The Critical Infrastructure Communications Experience. The General Session will feature reports from UTC’s Chairman of the Board, Joseph Lackey, Telecommunications Supervisor at Southside Electric Cooperative, and UTC’s Division Chairs explaining what UTC is doing to help you with your jobs. Don’t miss UTC TELECOM 2007’s keynote address by Andres Carvallo, the nationally recognized Chief Information Officer at Austin Energy. Hear how this innovative CIO sees the future of critical infrastructure communications and learn how Austin Energy is on the cutting edge many new utility telecom ideas.
|
|
| 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM |
Using Spread-Spectrum to Improve SCADA Communications
Room: 17B
Spread-spectrum technology offers a solution that works more effectively in environments with interference and noise compared to conventional radio transmission techniques. It can also provide a higher data rate because of wider allowable bandwidths. As a result, it has developed into a major SCADA solution. While spread spectrum products do not require an FCC site license, products do have to meet FCC technology regulations. This session will explore ways in which entities are using spread spectrum today and planned uses for future growth.
|
|
| 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM |
Networking Break
|
|
| 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM |
Control System Vulnerabilities – It Isn’t Over Yet *SUPER SESSION*
Room: 17B
This session provides an overview of typical control system architectures and exposes cyber security vulnerabilities that exist in every system. This session reviews the assessment process, including the testing all of the layers and components of a control system, including what to look for when conducting a vulnerability assessment of a real-time control system. You’ll need this session to help your utility with NERC CIP standard compliance.
|
|
| 11:45 AM - 05:30 PM |
UTC EXPO 2007 Open
|
|
| 12:30 PM - 02:30 PM |
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2007
|
|
| 01:45 PM - 03:15 PM |
HOT TOPIC: Two Projects for the Future Utility – Substation Communications and Fiber
Room: 17A
Join the KEMA team that carried out one project and is working on the other, along with major sponsors, to discuss how utilities are working to upgrade their substations and communications networks, but at a pace consistent with available resources and budgets. This session also will look at the technologies being considered; how legacy networks are integrated with new systems; and how fiber networks will increasingly be used to meet a wide variety of internal challenges as well as serve as a revenue opportunity.
|
|
| 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM |
HOT TOPIC: Disaster Planning and Your Wireless and IT Systems
Room: 19AB
Businesses, including utilities, are missing the key role of wireless communications and IT networks in their business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Few commercial businesses have a comprehensive BC/DR plan: while some have a sketchy idea of procedures to meet basic requirements, many others don’t even have that. This presentation looks at the benefits of a top-down BC/DR plan, including the critical role of wireless, and you will hear from one utility that has been doing serious thinking about how to change its use of technology to meet new emergencies and possible pandemics.
|
|
| 06:30 PM - 09:30 PM |
UTC Gala
Room: Buffalo Billiards
A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, a little bit of everything -- Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World” and UTC certainly can’t send you home without a taste of some great live music! That’s why this year’s UTC Gala will feature country western sounds and a starring lead singer - your chairman - Joe Lackey! Dance the night away or enjoy casual time with food and drinks to catch up with old friends. The UTC Gala will be a night to remember your trip to Austin and UTC TELECOM 2007.
|
|
| Tue, May 08 |
| 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Breakfast General Session Featuring: Presentation of the UTC Apex Award & Special Keynote Address on Next Generation Infrastructures
The presentation of Third Annual UTC Apex Award, sponsored by Motorola, will be an awards breakfast to remember as we honor the absolute best in utility telecommunications. Join us as we showcase the winners of this distinguished award and the finalists - told through the stories they submitted. This year, we are adding a special address to immediately follow the UTC Apex Award presentation. Bruce Germano, Vice President of Retail Delivery at Long Island Power Authority, and Chairman of EPRI’s IntelliGrid Project, has been invited to give his unique perspective on the critical role of communications in the next generation of utility infrastructure.
|
|
| 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
Networking Break
|
|
| 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM |
Latest on Cyber Security Solutions for Enterprise and Process Control Systems *SUPER SESSION*
Room: 17B
This session will provide examples of several cyber security events that have impacted the operations of real-time SCADA, DCS or EMS systems: specifically, what happened, what technical and procedural safeguards were missing, and what impact this had on operations. In addition, it will describe the differences between security products designed for the Enterprise Corporate IT network and those meant for SCADA systems with legacy operating systems, limited bandwidth and fewer opportunities for patching. Session attendees will learn how to leverage SCADA security and enterprise security solutions together to provide an easier way to manage security events across both environments.
|
|
| 10:30 AM - 03:30 PM |
UTC EXPO 2007 Open
|
|
| 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM |
Networking Break in UTC EXPO 2007
|
|
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
HOT TOPIC: Retirement – How it Affects You and Your Utility
Room: 19AB
Sponsored by the UTC Career Center -
This session will focus on two aspects of retirement: how it affects you financially when you make the choice to leave, and what impact retirement has on utilities. Experts from a financial services firm offer help on how to prepare yourself for retirement and the many issues associated with transitioning out of the working world – even if you plan to work after your “official” retirement. The second part of the session will include a discussion on how utility companies can cope with an aging workforce and make sure that no critical knowledge is lost in handing off jobs to younger professionals. This session is great for those about to retire and utility HR department curious about what to do next!
|
|
|
International Utility Telecom Roundtable *NEW*
Room: 11A
All delegates to UTC TELECOM 2007 are invited to attend this special roundtable discussion about key utility telecom initiatives underway outside the United States. A discussion will be led by UTC’s International Division Co-Chairmen and will feature an update on Smart Grids activities in the European Union and projects of note from South America with a special emphasis on activities in Brazil. In addition, all international delegates present will be invited to report on activities in their countries. Regardless of where you are from, this session will provide unique perspectives on utility telecom around the world.
|
|
| 12:30 PM - 02:30 PM |
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2007
|
|
| 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM |
HOT TOPIC: UTC Legal/Regulatory/Legislative
Room: 19AB
What is the FCC planning for the frequency bands in which you operate? What is the status of the proceedings you’re worried about? What are Congress and Federal agencies doing to help critical infrastructure communications? In this always-popular session, get an overview of what the UTC Legal/Regulatory staff is doing and how we read the landscape for your communications systems, including the status of legislative work and the drive toward a critical infrastructure spectrum allocation.
|
|
| 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM |
Replacing SCADA Equipment: Trends and Best Practices
Room: 17B
Many utilities have an installed base of outdated, legacy SCADA equipment, often from a variety of manufacturers using different protocols. Replacing these systems often starts with simple questions – where do you start and where do you want to be at the end? This presentation gives best practices and trends based on multi-year SCADA replacement programs. Specifically, attendees will hear the impact and selection of architecture, the replacement design process and issues associated with replacing systems in a live substation environment. This is a must for anyone considering upgrading SCADA equipment.
|
|
| 04:15 PM - 04:30 PM |
Networking Break
|
|
| 04:30 PM - 05:30 PM |
Evolving the Intelligent Grid – The Pepco Holdings Story
Room: 17B
This exciting session will cover the details of Washington, DC-based Pepco Holding’s automation pilot and evolving distributed RTU philosophy. The approach centers on industry-standard hardware and standard, off-the-shelf software enabling greater processing power within a traditional substation. It is believed that this approach will ultimately help to transform the way utilities control & monitor their electric systems, as well as manage those assets. Details will be provided on the capabilities of the system, which automatically controls portions of its “Distribution” System through the use of Artificial Intelligence. Plan to learn about how the network is designed, risks involved, lessons learned, network capability and pilot status.
|
|
| 06:30 PM - 09:30 PM |
UTC Awards Dinner
Room: Hilton Salon A/B/C
The UTC Awards Dinner is the main social event of UTC TELECOM 2007! Join us as we honor the recipients of UTC’s most prestigious awards, the Dondanville, Meehan and Chairman’s Awards after enjoying a formal, sit down dinner. What better way to end out UTC TELECOM 2007 than ending the last full day with a presentation honoring colleagues and friends. Make sure to stay after dinner for a great dessert and an evening spent listening to jazz. *semi-formal attire
|
|
| Wed, May 09 |
| 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Capstone - UTC Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast
Room: Ballroom EFG
Help us wrap up UTC TELECOM 2007 in style on Wednesday morning as we elect UTC’s new officers for 2007-2008. Join outgoing UTC Chairman Joe Lackey and the senior members of UTC’s leadership as reports are delivered on activities over the past year and plans for 2007-2008. The Annual UTC Membership Meeting is an important aspect of being a member. But, it is also an important opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a UTC member. This is a short but ideal way to learn how you can benefit from greater involvement in UTC. Come and be a part of the annual progress of your trade association!
|
|
| 10:15 AM - 12:00 PM |
Grounding Workshop
Room: 19AB
Grounding systems help telecom systems operate at peak performance. To keep grounding systems functioning at their best, it is essential to understand how the key elements of a grounding system function and how to solve common problems. Attendees of this practical workshop will learn about subjects including grounding electrode systems, single point grounding, isolated ring and halo grounds, as well as tower grounding practices and site bonding.
|
|
|
Pole Attachment Workshop – Challenges and Opportunities
Room: 18AB
Pole attachment and joint use issues are heating up! This workshop will identify the legal/regulatory developments, business and operational issues and technical and safety considerations that face the utility industry. It will feature leading experts providing their perspectives and answering your questions about the big policy issues and the routine operational challenges you need to know. These are issues that affect every aspect of the utility business: reliability, safety, asset management, and communications. You can’t afford to miss this session.
|
|
| 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM |
Austin Energy/PowerGrid Communications BPL Site Visit
Ever wonder what BPL is all about really? Come see it live at the Austin Energy/PowerGrid Communications BPL demo house. After all the UTC TELECOM 2007 workshops are over on Wednesday afternoon, Austin Energy is inviting UTC TELECOM 2007 attendees to see their demo house. There is no set tour and attendees will be welcome to browse through the house at their leisure. PowerGrid Communications will treat attendees that visit the BPL Demo House to a barbeque lunch. Buses will leave the Austin Convention Center at 12:30 p.m. Buses will start coming back to the Austin Convention Center at 4:00 p.m. RSVP to stephanie.colbert@utc.org.
|
|