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Presentation Alert: Berks County Water & Sewer Association (BCW&SA) Conference, July 28, 2021


Associate and Director of the DelMarVa office, Michael Papciak, will be giving a presentation on "Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Issues with your SCADA System" at the 9th Annual BCW&SA Conference. The conference will be held virtually on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.


We interviewed Mike on what to expect from the conference, his background, and the importance of cybersecurity for your SCADA systems.

 

Q&A with the Conference Speaker: Michael Papciak, Associate, Director of DelMarVa Office


Q: Can you tell us what to expect from this presentation?

A: This presentation intends to give the audience a basic understanding of the network equipment used throughout their SCADA system, how to protect your SCADA system network, and why cybersecurity is important even for the smaller utilities.


Q: Where and when are you presenting?

A: Virtually, from 9:45-10:15 am on July 28, 2021, for BCW&SA. Conference details can be found here: https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/berks2021/dashboard


Q: Who should attend this conference?

A: Operators and managers alike will benefit by gaining better insight into their network components, ways to secure their system, and hearing about recent examples of attacks on different sectors.


Q: Can you give us a little bit of background on who you are?

A: Mike Papciak, Director of DelMarVA at Keystone Engineering Group, Inc. I graduated from Penn State with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Technology in 2003. My career began designing, programming, and starting up VFD control panels mainly for the ski lift and printing industries. I came to Keystone in 2007, where I am involved in all things SCADA. On any given day, I am programming PLC’s/HMI’s both in the office and in the field, troubleshooting field instrumentation and networks, mentoring our newer employees, providing technical assistance, and most recently heading up Keystone’s cybersecurity initiatives.


Q: Why is this topic important to learn more about?

A: Almost every day you read about some cyber-attack, whether it is a ransomware attack (Colonial Pipeline), or someone taking remote control of a SCADA system (Oldsmar Water Treatment Plant). Now, more than ever, people must understand what networking components they have, what being connected to the internet means as far as cybersecurity, how to lessen your attack risk, and how to be prepared for what to do after an attack occurs.


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