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(Fadian, Guam) – The Guam Power Authority (GPA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), and Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has successfully concluded a two-day Cyber Security Conference and CyberStrike Training event, offering invaluable insights into the world of cyber defense and critical infrastructure protection.
The conference, hosted at the Hyatt Regency Guam, brought together a host of distinguished guests, industry experts, and government agencies to address the pressing issue of cyber security in the energy sector. GPA's General Manager, John Benavente, P.E., expressed his profound delight at welcoming participants and underscored the importance of such collaborative initiatives in ensuring the resilience and security of Guam's power infrastructure stating “This event not only exemplifies our commitment to the safety and resilience of Guam's power infrastructure but also underscores the significance of collaboration in addressing the ever-evolving challenges of cyber security. By bringing together experts from various fields, we've set the stage for valuable knowledge sharing and networking. It is crucial that we remain proactive and well-informed in our efforts to protect the security and reliability of our energy systems.”
Benavente added, “For GPA, our interest is to protect our customer data and ensure that we guard against any system attacks. Any breach can be detrimental to our customers’ privacy and the operations of Guam’s power system. Sharing information is critical in ensuring that GPA stays ahead of the most current threats impacting the Authority’s cybersecurity posture.”
GPA Chief Information Technology Officer, Melyvn Kwek said, “Cybersecurity is a constant global threat. We are not immune to cyberattacks here in Guam, which is why GPA established a new annual event to bring together local and federal partners in the IT and OT spaces to share knowledge and best practices to protect our interests here in Guam.
Attendees agreed that this event was much needed to bring together top minds in the field to protect our island especially our critical infrastructure from any future attacks.”
The conference showcased a diverse range of topics in the realm of cyber security and critical infrastructure, featuring presentations by experts who are leaders in their respective domains. GPA aimed to lead the way in offering a comprehensive and vital forum for cyber security discussions.
The event promoted the facilitation of information sharing and networking among government agencies, ensuring situational awareness, training, and the sharing of valuable resources.
Furthermore, the conference served as a prelude to the exclusive CyberStrike training exercise conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and Idaho National Lab. This specialized training was designed for IT/OT professionals and those responsible for managing critical infrastructure. It offered hands-on exercises and immersive experiences, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to defend against cyber threats in the rapidly evolving cyber landscape.
GM Benavente also highlighted the instrumental role played by the U.S. Department of Energy in GPA's journey toward improved cyber security. Thanks to federal grants and assistance from the DOE, GPA has been able to enhance its infrastructure in areas including cyber security, engineering development, grid modernization, and training. A pivotal moment was the Smart Grid Initiative grant program, which received $16.6 million in funding from the DOE. This program significantly improved the customer experience, power quality, and the resilience of GPA's power grid.
The Cyber Security Conference and CyberStrike Training event and successful collaboration with CESER, the DOE, and INL sets a standard for Guam by advancing the island's defense against cyber threats, ensuring the continuous and secure provision of power to its residents.
