2026 Event Schedule

With the deployment of Distributed Energy Resource (DER) systems on the rise, developing robust solutions to secure their communications infrastructure is becoming increasingly critical. This advanced workshop builds on our previous session by focusing on the cybersecurity implications of the three protocols specified in IEEE Std 1547™–2018 for the Local DER Communication Interface: DNP3, IEEE 2030.5, and SunSpec Modbus.

Unlike traditional SCADA systems, which typically operate in centralized, isolated environments, DER systems can be decentralized, internet-connected, and deployed across diverse network conditions. These characteristics introduce new threat vectors and require thoughtful approaches to authentication, confidentiality, and data integrity. System designers and integrators have a range of options to address these challenges—some tailored to a specific protocol’s architecture and capabilities, and others more broadly applicable across DER environments.

Join our panel of experts as they explore how each protocol addresses these challenges, what makes DER cybersecurity uniquely demanding, and how utilities and vendors can build resilient systems.