DOE officials learn about Sandia cyber and energy programs

By Michael Padilla

Department of Energy officials visited Sandia/California on Tuesday, March 5, to learn about the Labs’ cyber and energy programs.

Andy McIlroy, right, and Sarah Allendorf , left, deputy director of Chemical Sciences, lead a tour of Sandia’s Combustion Research Facility. (Photo by Randy Wong)

The three officials included Karen Evans, assistant secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response; Cathy Tripodi, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; and Catherine (Katie) Jereza, deputy assistant secretary for the Transmission Permitting and Technical Assistance Division in the Office of Electricity.

The visit was led by Center 8100 Director Andy McIlroy, the deputy to Division 8000 Associate Labs Director Dori Ellis, and Carol Adkins, director of Sandia’s Energy and Earth Systems Center.

During the visit, Karim Mahrous, senior manager for Information Security Sciences, provided an overview of Sandia’s civilian cyber program, which leverages cyber research and capabilities for the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies.

Sarah Allendorf, Sandia’s deputy director of Chemical Sciences, hosted a tour of the Combustion Research Facility (CRF) and discussed Sandia’s work in transportation energy. The DOE officials visited labs highlighting both the Basic Energy Science and Vehicle Technologies programs at the CRF.

Scott Skeen discusses work performed at the CRF with Cathy Tripodi, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (Photo by Randy Wong)

Jennifer Depoy, Sandia’s manager of Critical Infrastructure Systems, described Sandia’s tools and capabilities for cyber experimentation, exercise environments, behavioral analytics, and operational response, including multi-agency applications and deployments.

Charlie Hanley, senior manager for Sandia’s Grid Modernization and Resilient Infrastructure program, presented a grid resilience overview and discussed approaches and related projects that integrate cyber and physical security, advanced grid modeling, and new technology development for application in defense and civilian infrastructure.

Dean Jones, senior manager of Complex Systems for National Security, discussed modeling and analysis capabilities for assessing critical infrastructure interdependencies and disruption consequences.

DOE officials visited Sandia/California on March 5 to learn about the Labs’ cyber and energy programs. From left: Jennifer Depoy, manager of Critical Infrastructure Systems; Carol; Center Director Andy McIlroy, deputy to Div. 8000 Associate Labs Director Dori Ellis; Jereza; Evans; Charlie; and Tripodi. (Photo by Randy Wong)