CySER Virtual Seminar – Securing Washington State Energy Critical Infrastructure
About the event
Title: Securing Washington State Energy Critical Infrastructure
Speaker: Elizabeth King
Abstract: Energy security can mean the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at affordable prices. This can be threatened by both manmade and natural disasters which is why one element of energy security is focused on physical and cybersecurity. In this seminar, we’ll be discussing the importance of data security, energy resilience, energy security, and the role of the Energy Resilience & Emergency Management Office (EREMO). EREMO is the state lead for energy emergency planning and response operations for petroleum, electricity, natural gas, and alternative fuels and coordinating restoration priorities during an energy supply disruption impacting the state. As the effects of natural and man-made disasters have become more frequent, communities must prepare for potential energy disruptions that can significantly impact critical services. EREMO is also beginning a series of projects to explore the intersection of energy vulnerabilities at critical facilities and disaster mitigation planning. We are exploring how our communities can better assess their energy vulnerabilities, specifically how to assess their critical facility power outage vulnerabilities and how they can plan and identify power sector mitigation activities.
Speaker Bio: Elizabeth “Eli” King is the Energy Resilience and Emergency Management Director for the Washington State Department of Commerce. Mrs. King oversees the EREMO, including the following programs: energy emergency operations, resilience & mitigation planning, liquid fuels resilience program, energy safety, and energy cyber and physical security. Eli also serves as the lead for the Emergency Support Function (ESF) 12 (energy) during an incident or disaster impacting the energy sector and ensures the coordination with all levels of government, energy sector partners, neighboring states, the Governor’s Office, and Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Supply and Conservation. Mrs. King is an internationally Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), has been a leader in emergency management, and is currently serving on the Region X board for the International Association of Emergency Management (IAEM) as past president; Region X spans Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Mrs. King was appointed to serve on the National Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission from the previous White House administration, representing the energy sector.
Learn more about CySER: https://cyser.wsu.edu/