Panelists Highlight SCADA Systems

In April, Brian Schaben, director of IT infrastructure and operations, Black Hills Corporation, Omaha, Nebraska; Daniel G. Ramaekers, vice president of information technology, Tenaska, Omaha, Nebraska; and Phillip Narducci, manager of IT infrastructure support, Tenaska, Omaha, Nebraska, conducted a panel on SCADA systems for the chapter. Schaben kicked off by providing an overview of the Black Hills Corporation. Similarly, Ramaeker provided an overview of Tenaska. Both panelists highlighted the measures they undertake to secure the SCADAs under their control. During the panel, one of the more significant discussion points is some suppliers are not at the security level Black Hills and Tenaska would like. To work around, they have meetings to discuss shortfalls. They even include verbiage in contracts to help mitigate risk. In parting, Ramaeker pointed out that compliance is the starting line in most instances and not the goal line.