IntelliSmart Infrastructure Private Limited, in collaboration with the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF), recently hosted the third edition of the Smart Meter Cyber Security Conference 2023 in New Delhi. The conference convened key stakeholders, including government officials, regulators, power distribution companies (Discoms), researchers, and academics, to address the pressing need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals in the power distribution sector.
The inaugural session, graced by prominent figures such as Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority of India, and Reji Kumar Pillai, President of India Smart Grid Forum, underscored the importance of bolstering cybersecurity capabilities within Discoms. The speakers emphasized the urgency of providing certified cybersecurity experts, ensuring robust cloud security, addressing vulnerabilities in the smart metering supply chain, and taking proactive measures to prevent potential cyber threats.
Reji Kumar Pillai, President of India Smart Grid Forum emphasized the need for cybersecurity expertise, stating, “India needs half a million cyber security experts as there are challenges to keeping the grid stable. We have 2021 Cyber Security Guidelines, and we are working on formulating cyber security policies.”
Anil Rawal, MD and CEO of IntelliSmart, stressed the significance of proactive measures in cybersecurity. He stated, “It is crucial that we consider how to ensure cyber safety and take proactive steps. We must not wait for a cyber security incident to occur before we act. This conference is one of the attempts to delve into this crucial topic and facilitate the exchange ideas on empowering Discoms to effectively tackle cyber threats.”
The conference’s first session, titled ‘Providing Discoms with Deeper Technical Know-how to Combat Cyber Threats,’ featured insights from a distinguished panel of speakers. They highlighted the importance of risk identification, effective control implementation, periodic progress assessments, and continuous monitoring.
The session, chaired by MAKP Singh, Member, CEA and CISO of the Ministry of Power, featured notable speakers such as Dr. Muktesh Chander, former special commissioner of police, Delhi, and Atul Bali, Director (NPMU), National Smart Grid Mission.
The concluding session, ‘Innovation – Deploying New Technologies to Counter Cyber Threats; and Ensuring Compliance with the Cyber Security Measures Prescribed in the Standard Bidding Document (SBD) of RDSS,’ delved into device-level security, securing communication channels, identifying threat actors, and establishing standards to ensure the security of the entire ecosystem. The session was chaired by Faruk Kazi, Dean – Research, Development & Consultancy, VJTI, and featured speakers including Richard Schomberg, IEC Ambassador for Smart Energy, and Amit Chaudhary, Vice President, IP & Cyber Security, Airtel.
The conference illuminated the critical need for a robust resource base and heightened cybersecurity measures to safeguard power distribution systems against evolving cyber threats. Stakeholders agreed on the imperative to invest in well-trained professionals and innovative technologies to fortify the sector’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
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