Security here, but threats continue

Four or five years ago, the idea security in the industry was a new and different thing. Today in Atlanta, that idea is no longer new and different. That is because the Process Control Systems Forum (PCSF) is meeting to a packed room talking about key areas in the control systems security environment.
Michael Torppey, technical manager for PCSF and senior principal at Noblis, talked about how the conference has grown over the past few years. He said they have just under 200 people registered to attend the event. That is quite a larger turnout from previous years, he said.
“We have done well, but we still have a lot more room to cover,” Torppey said.
Keynote speaker Bruce Landis, U.S. Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for cyber security and telecommunications, talked about how to the needs for the future.
“We all use tools in our work and process control systems are tools,” he said. “I can use your tools and make them do what I want. Risk is a function of threat, vulnerabilities and consequences. If any of them get to zero, then you are OK.”
The problem is, though, the people attempting to get into systems are very well equipped.
“We face real dangers from sophisticated, intelligent adversaries,” Landis said.