A leading international organization which sets the standard for automation welcomed over 120 training and conference delegates to Aberdeen this week.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) welcomed over 120 training and conference delegates to Aberdeen this week. ISA chose Aberdeen, Scotland as the launch venue for its Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity Summit given the city’s strategic position in the energy sector.

Following two days focusing on cybersecurity training, a two-day conference program at the city’s Ardoe House Hotel & Spa featured a welcome from Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr. David Cameron, plus addresses from keynote speakers Cheri Caddy, Deputy Director at the US Office of the National Cyber Director, and Megan Samford, VP, Chief Product Security Officer – Energy Management, Schneider Electric.

They were joined by hand-picked subject matter experts from the US and UK who presented real-world applications of ISA/IEC 62443—the world’s only consensus-based automation and control systems cybersecurity standards.

"This event brought together the OT cybersecurity community in the UK to talk about shared issues related to the energy sector," shared former ISA president Steve Mustard. "It was a fantastic opportunity to hear from speakers from all over the world, to discuss how the use of ISA/IEC 62443 can be accelerated, and to network and make new relationships. The buzz on LinkedIn following the event has been great and everyone is already talking about the next event.” 

Neil Tubman of Terzo Digital, UK added, “I’m not a security specialist but it was good to spend a couple of days immersed in it to get a good grounding of what’s going on in an area that I encounter often.” 

The Summit galvanized in-person and online delegates and allowed operators, service companies, regulators, and equipment providers to meet face-to-face to discuss relevance to respective supply chains, and where vulnerabilities lie. Attendees were also able to gain insight into better protection for themselves and their customers through a series of presentations, questions and audience participation.

Claire Fallon, ISA Executive Director, commented, “Attracting more than 120 in-person and online delegates to our first-ever UK event of this kind is a clear demonstration of the appetite which exists for learning and networking opportunities focused on cybersecurity in operational technology environments.

“Two additional ISA events are planned for 2023 in the US and Australia that will focus on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and other leading topics in automation. We look forward to returning to the UK in the future to ensure that we continue to share knowledge and advocate for standards-based OT cybersecurity practices.”