Smart grid security takes centre stage at APEC

Involved from the very early days with projects to add communication and intelligence to power supplies - which became known as “Digital Power” - Patrick Le Fèvre has frequently been asked about software security and how prepared the power supplies industry is to address such issues.

Although there is very little risk of a hacker reaching a single digital-POL at board level, the security risk increases exponentially as we move upward in the value chain, and in doing so the smart grid is probably the highest and the most exposed to attacks.

In February 2016, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an alert, reporting a case that had happened in December 2015 in Ukraine, raising the information to a high level of attention by smart grid operators, motivating them to accelerate protection mechanisms and to develop preventative actions policies.

In his presentation, Patrick Le Fèvre will go through the history of the smart grid and talk about different cases that illustrate the growing threat, as well as explaining initiatives that will make the grid better protected against attacks. Step by step, the worldwide smart grid is getting stronger and safer, although the potential for threats remains high.

APEC is the leading conference for practicing power electronics professionals. The APEC program addresses a broad range of topics in the use, design, manufacture and marketing of all kinds of power electronics equipment. The combination of high-quality Professional Education Seminars, a full program of refereed papers and an overflowing Exhibit Hall consistently provides an invaluable education each year.

Join Powerbox at APEC to meet experts and to listen to Le Fèvre’s presentation on Thursday 30^th March, Industry Session 20 ‘Energy Management – Smart Micro-grid’.