Automation Federation and Alabama Technology Network announce seminar to explore implementation of recently released Cybersecurity Framework

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (29 October 2013) – The Automation Federation and the Alabama Technology Network will sponsor an informative, free seminar on 21 February 2014 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA to examine the details surrounding the implementation of America’s Cybersecurity Framework.

The Automation Federation has been actively involved in the development of the Cybersecurity Framework, which was recently released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). President Barack Obama, through an executive order in early 2013, called for NIST to create the Cybersecurity Framework as the first step in a comprehensive plan to safeguard American industry and critical infrastructure from potentially crippling cyberattack.

At the seminar, representatives from the White House, NIST and leading cybersecurity subject matter experts will explain the importance of the Cybersecurity Framework, and will illustrate why industrial automation control systems (IACS) security standards are such vital components of the plan and essential to its successful implementation.

Seminar attendees will learn:
•    How woefully under-prepared American industry and critical infrastructure are to prevent cyberattack on IACS, which could result in severe economic and environmental damage, significant operational impairment, and public endangerment.
•    The role and value of ANSI/ISA99, Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security standards (also known as IEC 62443) in preventing and mitigating cyberattack and security breaches.
•    All the key provisions and essential details of the Cybersecurity Framework.
At NIST’s request, the Automation Federation and its affiliated organization, the International Society of Automation (ISA), have served as advisors to the federal government in the formation of the framework. Both the Automation Federation and ISA strongly recommended that the ANSI/ISA99 IACS security standards be incorporated as essential framework components.

The ANSI/ISA99 standards—developed by a cross-section of international cybersecurity subject-matter experts from industry, government and academia—apply to all key industry sectors and critical infrastructure, and, as a result, provide the flexibility to address and mitigate current and future vulnerabilities in IACS.

“The Automation Federation is committed to assisting the White House and NIST in implementing the Cybersecurity Framework,” says Mike Marlowe, Automation Federation Managing Director. “This seminar, and others to follow, will provide industry leaders with a greater understanding of what is required to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure.”

Register to attend today
To register to attend this important, free seminar, go online at www.atn.org, or contact Isaac Queen via email at iqueen@atn.org. Details on the conference time and location are provided below.

February 21, 2014
8 a.m. to noon
Jefferson State Community College - Shelby County Campus
HSB Multipurpose Room - First Floor
4600 Valleydale Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35242

[an error occurred while processing this directive] About The Alabama Technology Network
The Alabama Technology Network is a part of the Alabama Community College System and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. ATN's team of experts helps solve the needs of industry and business through innovative, sustainable, cost-effective solutions. ATN links industries and businesses with resources from our network of universities, colleges, businesses, and government to deliver the training needed to be more efficient, more productive, and more competitive. We partner with the two-year colleges, The University of Alabama System, and Auburn University to provide services through a variety of training options and methods.

Visit www.atn.org for more information.

About the Automation Federation
The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization of sixteen (16) member organizations and five working groups engaged in automation activities. The Automation Federation enables its members to more effectively fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications, and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is the “Voice of Automation.” For more information about the Automation Federation, visit www.automationfederation.org.