Energy, security focus of ISA EXPO 2009

The ISA EXPO 2009 technical conference featured six conference tracks centered on key issues facing instrumentation, automation, and control professionals, including safety, security, process automation and control, energy and environment, wireless and networking, and enterprise integration. The conference program also included keynote addresses from industry leaders. John Hofmeister, CEO and founder of Citizens for Affordable Energy, and retired president of Shell Oil Company, presented the opening keynote address entitled, “Energy Security and Affordability in the 21st Century.”

“Securing the Nation’s Industrial Control Systems Infrastructure,” was delivered by Marty Edwards, US Department of Homeland Security program manager of the Control Systems Security Program (CSSP). Edward’s address discussed the current threat landscape, common vulnerabilities and security issues facing critical infrastructure control systems, and mitigation strategies being developed to address these challenges.

Lisa Long, safety engineer with the UD Department of Labor-OSHA, presented the final keynote address titled, “Overview and Findings from OSHA’s Refinery and Chemical National Emphasis Programs.” Long’s address described the program’s inspection protocol and procedures, and reviewed preliminary findings including data on the most frequently cited paragraphs of the process safety management standards and example citation language.