CIISec Nuclear Hub – Inaugural Meeting - 6th December 2022

The newly founded CIISec Nuclear Hub held its inaugural meeting event on the 6th December 2022 and was a resounding success. Interest from across the sector was such that event registration reached maximum available capacity well before the day. The event itself was a hybrid event hosted by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) utilising The Engine Rooms conference facility in Warrington for the in-person venue with many people joining virtually.?

Attendance was strong and the event generated a lot of interest, enthusiasm, discussion and positive feedback from the attendees. One delegate summed up the event by sharing “Kesh was a really good opener and David then nailed it! One of the best engagement/share events that I’ve listened to. I think the community will grow if they are that informative.”

After a welcome and introduction from Matt Shreeves FCIIS (Group CISO at the NDA) to the venue and the event - Mark K. (CISO at NNL), Lead on the initiative?for the CIISec Nuclear Hub, provided an overview of the objectives of the new CIISec Nuclear Hub.

CIISec Nuclear Hub Objectives:

1. Promote networking across the sector
2. Encourage knowledge sharing and best practice
3. Encourage young people to enter the sector
4. Encourage continuous and structured professional development
5. Promote CIISec corporate and personal membership across the nuclear sector

Mark Kendrew then introduced the two main presentations for the event and their respective speakers.

Rakesh Burgul FCIIS (CISO at NTS) shared his vast nuclear sector experience with a thoughtful and engaging presentation on “Organisational Precursors to Successful Cyber Programmes”. Rakesh walked through the need for understanding your organisational business context and varied stakeholders using his current organisation as an example. The presentation outlined a journey through what constitutes “successful maturity” across aspects such as leadership, competencies, approach, regulations and a sharing mindset. Rakesh then reflected on aspects of being the CISO in an organisation, the breadth and depth, before closing with the “fun” and satisfaction to be had despite the many challenges.

David Cowan (Nuclear Sector CISO WG Facilitator) presented a real-world view of experience dealing with a major ransomware incident and its devasting business impacts and lessons with his presentation entitled “Response and Recovery from a Major Cyber Attack – Copeland Case Study”. The presentation provided key insights for everyone from the CEO and senior management teams to those individuals seeking to protect their organisations. Sharing not just what occurred at a combined organisational and outline technical level, but the scale of business loss and impacts on the organisation. Described as “gold dust” by some, David then importantly for those attending provided key takeaway lessons to action in their own organisation to be better prepared to deal with a ransomware event of the magnitude described. Everything shared by David was actual real-world lessons that occurred not just at Copeland but other major cyber incidents of a similar magnitude.

The hybrid nature of the event is seen to be crucial by the CIISec Nuclear Hub Steering Group for enabling as many people as possible to attend planned events given the extreme geographic spread of those engaged in the nuclear sector. While the team would always encourage as many attendees as possible to attend in-person when possible for maximum benefits, the virtual event is run as an interactive group session not as a streamed web cast. This format allows even virtual attendees to join in with the interactive question and answers sessions with the presenters.

The CIISec Nuclear Hub team would like to express a massive thank you to all for making the inaugural event such an amazing success. Our CIISec support for setting up the event and registration, our NDA hosts represented by Matt Shreeve, the MC for the occasion Mark Kendrew, our presenters Rakesh Burgul and David Cowan and our amazing behind the scenes support staff who worked hard in so many ways unseen, and all those who attended the event. Please join us for the next CIISec Nuclear Hub event which will be held in the first quarter of 2023, watch out for further communication on the timing and registration details.?