SEPTEMBER 2011

Feature Article

SCADA Security for Critical Infrastructure
The economy of every developed country in the world depends on the supply of oil, gas and water as fuels for transportation, heat, electric current production and survival. The average American consumes two gallons of gasoline, 220 cubic feet of natural gas for heating and cooking, 30 kilowatt-hours of electricity - produced primarily from fossil fuels and 150 gallons of water a day. The supply is an essential part of the critical infrastructure. Providing and protecting the security of that supply is a clear cut mandate.

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Addressing Regulations and Regulatory Reporting with CyberLock

Utilities are faced with more and more security challenges every day. From generation and transmission through distribution and corporate operations, it is important to have the ability to track and control access to physical and cyber assets.

Remote site operators face several security threats, but by leveraging CyberLock technology a facility manager can quickly lower the risk of unauthorized access. CyberLock has the ability to identify, control, and monitor access points and entry attempts by providing audit trails, flexible key programming, and security to areas where a powered system cannot.

CyberLock is an electronic access control solution for securing physical and cyber assets at remote locations that have no access to power. The CyberLock system is unique in that it uses the mechanical lock hardware and padlocks that are already on site. A CyberLock installation requires no wiring. Simply replace each mechanical lock cylinder with a CyberLock electronic cylinder to gain access control and audit reporting where it’s needed most.

Unauthorized access is a real and recurring problem
With CyberLock, a company quickly gains key control by issuing an electronic key to each authorized contractor and employee that needs access to sensitive areas. Each electronic key can be programmed to open selected locks and padlocks on specific days and only during certain times on those days. Each person’s electronic key contains the access permissions they need to do their particular job. Keys can be set with a date to begin operation as well as an expiration date. The electronic key cannot be copied and a missing key can be quickly deactivated from accessing any locks, eliminating unauthorized access to sensitive areas.

Meeting Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Standards just got easier
CyberLock can eliminate the risks associated with key duplication and assist with CIP compliance by tracking contractors and employees that go into locations that contain critical cyber assets. Click here to read how CyberLock has helped the nation’s largest independent electric transmission company meet CIP standards.

CyberLock Providing Access Control for Over a Decade
Videx is an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of CyberLock access control and security products. Videx products are shipped directly from their headquarters in Corvallis, Oregon, USA to customers worldwide. For information about CyberLock, please contact Videx by phone at 541-738-5500, by fax at 541-738-5501, by email at sales@videx.com, or visit our web site at www.videx.com/lock28.

HiLo 3G HSDPA M2M Modem Module
Alpha Micro Components has introduced the Sagemcom HiLo 3G HSDPA modem, one of its smallest wireless M2M modules. Form-factor compatible with its predecessor the Sagemcom’s HiLo GPRS modem, the HiLo 3G HSDPA allows design engineers to migrate existing devices to 3G quickly and easily.

With its 900 MHz band, the Sagemcom HiLo 3G HSDPA wireless modem enables machines to overcome 3G coverage obstacles in rural areas, as well as inside buildings. Three 3G bands and the four 2G bands have been integrated to guarantee optimized operational functionality regardless of the specific environmental conditions.

This 3G HSDPA three-band module can handle the four GSM, GPRS and EDGE frequency bands and delivers enhanced performance in terms of sensitivity together with very low power consumption <1.7 mA in idle mode. Its guaranteed 3.2 V minimum power supply makes it a solution for battery-powered devices. Developed according to demanding standards applicable for the automotive market, the HiLo 3G operates from -40°C to 85°C.

RF Micro Devices Expands Product Portfolio Featuring Ember ZigBee Technology
RF Micro Devices, Inc. has unveiled the RF6555 ZigBee front end module (FEM). The RF6555 is RFMD’s newest ZigBee FEM and is optimized for smart energy/advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) applications. The RF6555 combines the power amplifier (PA), harmonic transmit filtering and low noise amplifier (LNA) with bypass mode in a single 5 by 5 by 1 mm package, enabling customers to shrink product footprint, accelerate product time-to-market, lower bill of material (BOM) costs and reduce power consumption for smart energy applications.

RFMD’s RF6555 is well suited for battery operated smart grid and smart energy applications, such as smart meters, demand response, and HAN devices. The RF6555 is also suited for industrial and other wireless sensing and control applications requiring low power consumption, high performance, and proven reliability.

Eaton’s 5PX UPS Protects Equipment through Integrated Power Management Capabilities
Eaton Corp. has introduced its new UPS, the Eaton 5PX UPS, an integrated power management solution for information technology (IT) data centers. The 5PX supports virtualization strategies through integration with Eaton’s Intelligent Power software suite, a solution that combines power monitoring with graceful shutdown of devices or live migration of virtual machines.

The 5PX is the first UPS in the industry to meter energy consumption of individual devices down to the outlet segment level. This enables IT managers to not only control individual power outlets or groups of outlets across the network, but also to track and reduce the power consumption of the protected servers and other IT equipment. Each 5PX UPS, including the batteries, is backed by a three-year warranty.

Stem Innovation Introduces iZON Remote Room Monitor
Stem Innovation, LLC has released the iZON Remote Room Monitor, an app-controlled video camera that enables live streaming of audio and video to an Apple iOS device. iZON easily joins most wireless networks to provide secure remote monitoring via the free Stem:Connect App for iPod touch, iPhone and iPad.

iZON can record video and audio, provide motion sensing and even record to a private YouTube account. iZON can be placed on any horizontal surface or mounted to a ceiling. It tilts and swivels easily on its unique magnetic base. Download the free Stem:Connect App, then simply plug iZON in and set it up on a local wireless network. A few simple steps help users to create a secure user account and begin streaming live audio and video.

New Sierra Monitor 5100-28-IT IR Combustible Gas Sensor Module with HART Interface
Sierra Monitor Corp. has introduced the Model 5100-28-IT, an infrared combustible gas sensor module that now includes HART interface. The 5100-28-IT is network enabled, meeting user’s and integrator’s needs for communication with any plant-wide control and monitoring system.

HART is a global bi-directional communication protocol standard for sending and receiving digital information across analog wires between smart field devices and host control or monitoring systems. The host can be any software application from a technician’s hand-held device or laptop to a plant’s process control, asset management, safety or other system using any control platform.

The 5100-28-IT sensor module provides interface via HART or 4-20 mA, Modbus RS-485 or Sierra Monitor’s proprietary Sentry bus. The 5100-28-IT is a standalone module loaded with the features including long term calibration interval for reduced maintenance costs.

Network Video Surveillance Equipment Sales to Surpass Analog in 2014
 IMS Research’s latest report, “The World Market for CCTV and Video Surveillance Equipment – 2011 Edition”, estimates that the world market for video surveillance equipment continued to achieve strong growth in 2010, in excess of 10 percent on the previous year, despite the persistent after-effects of the global economic downturn. This growth was predominantly driven by sales of network video surveillance equipment.

Two key factors impacting the decline of the analogu video surveillance market are the large/enterprise tier of the market transitioning to network video surveillance solutions and increasing price competition/commoditization in the mid-low tier of the analogu surveillance market. Network video surveillance growth continues to be bolstered by the trickle-through effect from government stimulus-funded projects and the increasing penetration of higher value network video surveillance products, such was HD cameras.

IMS Research forecasts that the growth of the network video surveillance market and the decline of the analog market will lead to a transition in 2014, with network video overtaking analogue in terms of sales revenue. However, it should be noted that in terms of shipments, analogu cameras are forecast to continue to outsell network cameras in 2014.

Quadlogic Teams with Lantronix for Smart Grid Monitoring Project
Quadlogic has selected Lantronix’ UDS1100 Ethernet device server to enable serial-to-Ethernet conversion in its metering systems. As a result, Quadlogic can now offer remote access, monitoring and control of its energy metering technology over Ethernet, dramatically improving communication and reducing support costs for its customers.

Quadlogic provides its residential and commercial customers access to timely and accurate metering data, especially important due to rising energy costs, deregulated markets and complex energy pricing. The company needed a quick, convenient and reliable way to network-enable its equipment and bring the advantages of remote management to its customers.

TheUDS1100 enables Quadlogic to meet the growing demand for serial-to-Ethernet conversion, which allows the company to network its metering devices in minutes, and provide its customers with instant control and access to equipment. The enterprise-grade, easy to configure device provides Quadlogic’s customers with a solution that facilitates more reliable communication with equipment, faster connection and data transfer speeds and reduced customer support calls.

AEP and EPRI Develop Use Cases for Smart Grid Interoperability Testing
American Electric Power (AEP) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have collaborated to develop multiple use cases that were used for interoperability testing in conjunction with the AEP gridSMART demonstration project. This project integrates various smart grid technologies including commercially available products, new technologies and new consumer products and services within a single, secure, two-way communication network between the utility and its customers.

These use cases documented the significant business functions of the AEP gridSMART demonstration project from an interoperability testing perspective. The use cases identified interfaces that were thought to be testable for interoperability. In less than two weeks, EPRI and AEP developed 21 use cases to describe interoperability requirements that would be needed in several smart grid applications including advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), demand response (DR), distributed grid management, electric transportation and energy storage.

OpenADR Alliance Selects Intertek and QualityLogic for Product Compliance Testing and Test Tool Development
The OpenADR Alliance has selected QualityLogic, Inc. to develop a conformance and interoperability test tools and Intertek Group PLC to provide testing and certification services for OpenADR compliant products. The selection follows competitive process through a recent Request for Proposals (RFP) process seeking companies to bid on the supply of test tools and testing and certification services.

QualityLogic was selected to develop a test tool allowing the company to become the independent test tool vendor for OpenADR 2.0 compliant products. Intertek was selected as the exclusive testing and certification partner, providing conformance and interoperability testing and certification for OpenADR 2.0 compliant products.

Demand Response and Smart Grid Communications Guide Released by Coalition of Non-Profit Organizations
The National Action Plan Coalition (NAPC) have announced the availability of a Demand Response and Smart Grid Communications Action guide. This guide is intended to meet one of the needs identified by DOE and FERC in the National Action Plan. The Communications Guide, available on the NAPC website, synthesizes existing research and best practices to date.  It also incorporates new ideas to create concepts, models, and language likely to be effective with consumers in efforts to educate and communicate with them on demand response and smart grid.

In developing the National Action Plan, stakeholders from across the DR and smart grid spectrum worked on communications and among the actions recommended was the need to provide a tool-kit, or communications umbrella to those who would be educators and communicators.  According to the Plan, "The Communications Umbrella, as a national platform, would create and provide a consistent, yet flexible, research-based message framework. This platform would include communications tools, support, and advice that could be adapted for use by interested local demand response implementers."

In implementing the National Action Plan, DOE and FERC have called for the development of "support materials designed to be 'plug and play' so that local entities can either use all available messages and materials or choose which elements to use." The agencies also supported the development of "a message framework with persuasive, adaptable messages aimed at various audience segments, all of which could be tailored by interested local stakeholders."

Event Listings

Unable to Attend Remote Monitoring & Control 2011? Get the Conference Proceedings!

Were you unable to attend the 2011 Remote Monitoring and Control Conference? If so Click Here to purchase the show proceedings. This resource will provide you with all of the show's presentations, exhibitor information and a list of attendees. If you missed out once, don't do it again! Order Today

CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011 Conference & Exposition
October 10-13, 2011 San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

CTIA Enterprise & Applications™ reflects the evolution of the industry and growing use of mobile technology in business. Building on the success of the show’s legacy, the event will demonstrate the increasing benefits of wireless data in enterprise and the expanding market for applications and content.

CTIA launched its fall show sixteen years ago to drive wireless data deployment within the enterprise and consumer markets. Today, the mobile business evolution is well underway. Discover how the exhibit floor, educational programming and partner event series will equip you to learn, network and compete in this increasingly mobile marketplace.
Register Now! www.ctiashow.com

SATCON – the Satellite Communications Conference & Expo
October 12-13, 2011
New York, NY

At SATCON, develop strategies to manage your communications infrastructure including video, data, voice and Internet.  Use VIP Code CCE24 to apply for your complimentary pass at: http://www.satconexpo.com/asr.

Offshore Communications
November 8-10, 2011
Houston, Tx.

Offshore Communications is the only event focused on the communications and network needs of the oil and gas community.  The Conference takes a progressive look at communications solutions for offshore platforms and remote inland rigs through roundtables and open forum sessions and the Exposition features more than 75 exhibiting companies with an outdoor exhibit area where you can experience the future of communications first hand.  Join hundreds of colleagues from the oil and gas community for three days packed with networking, collaboration and candid conversation. November 8-10, 2011

Houston Marriott Westchase - Houston, TX
www.offshorecomms.com 

Grid-Interop
December 5-8, 2011
Phoenix, AZ

Grid-Interop is the key annual event focused on Smart Grid interoperability standards, technologies and issues and it defines the interoperability framework necessary for smart grid to flourish. Held in partnership with NIST and the GridWise Architecture Council, Grid-Interop attracts a broad audience from both the government and the technical community, including key players from the energy utilities, software, cable, semiconductor, telecommunications and electricity consumer sectors, making Grid-Interop the only technical conference on Smart grid with this breadth.

Development and implementation of an interoperable, secure, yet scalable Smart Grid is moving forward at a frantic pace. Grid-Interop is the annual event that industry experts, stakeholders, and policy makers attend each year to discuss, debate, and determine the best path forward for development of interoperable components of a Smart Grid. http://www.grid-interop.com/2011/

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