Monthly Seminar Series
The University of Pittsburgh Cyber Energy Center is excited to host a monthly seminar series dedicated to addressing the evolving cybersecurity needs of the cyber-energy sector. These seminars will focus on the development of innovative solutions for securing operational technology (OT) and critical infrastructure, while fostering workforce development and educational opportunities for professionals.
The monthly seminar series will feature a mix of guest speakers, panel discussions, and case studies, each focusing on different aspects of the cybersecurity landscape, from technology innovations to workforce development strategies. These hybrid sessions will provide a platform for professionals, researchers, and policymakers to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange knowledge, and explore potential collaborations to advance cybersecurity in the cyber-energy sector.
Open to a broad audience, including professionals in cybersecurity, energy, IT, and OT fields, as well as researchers and educators, the series will offer valuable insights into how the center is shaping the future of cybersecurity and energy technologies, while contributing to a more secure, educated, and diverse workforce.
Upcoming Seminars
Strengthening Public Power Security Through Cyber Mutal Assistance and APPA Resources
Speaker: Anna Detloff, Cybersecurity Program Manager
This presentation dives into how to utilize the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council's Cyber Mutual Assistance Program (CMA) for incident response, situational awareness, and information sharing, and how to use APPA's Public Power Cyber resources to strengthen security programs of all maturity levels. The session will also highlight practical considerations for incorporating the CMA program and APPA resources into resilience planning and response strategies.
Thursday October 22, 2026 at 4pm via Zoom
Seminar Goals
Cybersecurity Solutions for the Evolving OT Security Workforce
The series will highlight cutting-edge tools and technologies aimed at improving the security of critical infrastructure. Experts will discuss how these innovations can support the integration of IT and OT systems, helping industries address both legacy systems and the demands of a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Promoting Education and Professional Development
In select sessions, participants will learn about emerging educational opportunities that equip professionals with the skills necessary to thrive in the expanding cyber-energy field. We aim to provide valuable insights into training, certification, and career development paths for individuals working within the cyber-energy sector.
Addressing OT and Critical Infrastructure Security Needs
A major focus of the series will be exploring solutions for securing OT, which is critical to our nation’s infrastructure. Industry leaders and academics will address how to build and manage a cohesive IT and OT environment that can safeguard against cyber threats, ensuring resilience in today’s interconnected world.
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Previous Seminars
Previous Seminars:
- September 30, 2026 — Hidden Computation, Real Consequences: Weird Machines and the Security of Critical Infrastructure — Dr. Meera Sridhar, Associate Professor in the Department of Cybersecurity at the University of North Carolina Charlotte
- May 6, 2026 — Energy Sector Cyber Threat: How the E-ISAC helps and informs the Electricity Sector of North America — Frank Honkus, Director of Intelligence E-ISAC
- April 14, 2026 — Automating STPA with Formal Methods — Sam Procter, Principal Researcher Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute
- February 12, 2026 — Inside the 2026 CIP Roadmap: How New Guidelines Are Being Built—and Why They’re Critical for a Changing Grid — Patrick Miller, President & CEO Ampyx Cyber
- December 16, 2025 — Cybersecurity for Cyber-physical Systems –Optimizing Cyber Defense in Digital Manufacturing with Attack Graphs —Krystel Castillo, Fellow in the Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office
- November 18, 2025 — Strengthening Vulnerability Management in OT — Mike Miller, CyberSecurity Engineer EQT
- October 27, 2025 — How PJM ensures a reliable, secure, and resilient energy supply while balancing technical complexity with evolving cyber risks — Jeff Tiemann, Sr. Manager EMS Security & Resiliency & Jim Gluck, Sr. Director, Cybersecurity PJM
- September 23, 2025 — Mixed-Trust Real-Time Computation — Dionisio de Niz, Technical Director, Assuring Cyber-Physical Systems Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University
- April 24, 2025 — Protecting an OT Environment with Allowlisting — Isaac Martell, Manager of CyberSecurity EQT
- March 27, 2025 — Leveraging Regulatory Compliance to Drive OT Cybersecurity Maturity — Scott Christensen, Cyber Practice Lead, GreyMatter & Patrick Miller, President & CEO, Ampyx Cyber
- February 27, 2025 — Grid Modernization Challenges — Danielle McGuire, Sr. Cybersecurity Operations Analyst
- January 30, 2025 — Ansys SCADE Suite —Chris Murray, Ansys Senior Field Application Engineer
