Based on the COVID outbreak, FERC has accepted a 3 month delay (October 1, 2020) on the compliance of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) critical infrastructure protection (CIP) standard that establishes new cybersecurity requirements for electric power and utility (P&U) companies to ensure, preserve, and prolong the reliability of the bulk electric system (BES). Focus will be on the recent compliance and the vision moving forward.

COVID has had an immediate impact on the global supply chain and has exposed vulnerabilities and lack of visibility into tier two and three suppliers. Like other industries, utilities are looking into supplier risk management as well as opportunities for innovation. Sessions will discuss research, trends and case studies involving supplier risk mitigation. 

During times of such major disruption comes opportunities for reinvention and innovation on policies and practices to help circumvent risk in the future. Sessions wil focus on tools, research and real-world examples of next steps in developing resiliency in your risk management planning and practice.

Sessions will be filled with research as well as attendee interactivity with thought leaders and utility peers to share out stories, actions and develop a think tank across the procurement practice for best next steps for the utilities industry.

With a remote workforce and an increase in cyber attacks, 70 percent of organizations are seeing the value of increasing their investments in cybersecurity solutions (Security Magazine). Sessions will discuss solutions and procurement tactics around cybersecurity solutions.

The pandemic caused an almost immediate remote workforce. Utilities organizations are faced with a potential reinvention of work practices. The challenges, however, can also become opportunities for recruitment and modernization to appeal to future generations. Sessions will discuss talent management amid the pandemic and case studies and tools to bring back to the office.