Grid, PhD: Smart Grid, Cyber Security, and the Future of Keeping the Lights On

As technology developments continue to make the electric grid "smarter," many believe security–and particularly cyber security–has become an afterthought in many respects. What does this mean to those trying to keep the lights on? What kinds of threats face the grid today? What makes the grid unique from a critical infrastructure perspective? What are the regulatory and policy drivers behind the push to make the grid smarter and more secure? This discussion will attempt to answer these questions and shed light on the current state of smart grid developments and grid cyber security throughout North America.