​King County Region 6 Critical Infrastructure Working Group Cybersecurity Webinar Series
Cybersecurity: Privacy and Risk

Cybersecurity Webinar Series
Cyber Threats & Trends: Impacts to the Connected Worker

​Today’s workforce is more connected than ever before. The onset of COVID-19 has brought about new challenges and vulnerabilities. There has been a massive shift in the workforce to employees working from home.

This webinar explored the latest threats and trends that cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, business owners, emergency managers, first responders, critical infrastructure operators, and all public and private sector stakeholders should be aware of. Experts discussed how employers can safeguard connected devices and protect employees. They explored the future of cybersecurity, latest threats, updates, resources, and cyber best practices.

Cybersecurity Webinar Series
The Ever-Changing Role of the CISO and the Future of Cybersecurity

​Leadership during a crisis is crucial. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is an essential and dynamic position that guides organizations towards safe IT operations in today’s digital workplaces. This webinar hosted a panel of expert CISOs from the public and private sector to discuss the changing role of the position and the future of these organizations in the virtual world.

Speakers explored the impact of COVID-19 on how organizations are assessing cyber risk, security, and workforce challenges, and the impact this has on the role of a CISO. They discussed ways to create more resilient organizations with better cyber hygiene in part through clear communication from leadership.

Moderated by Alicia King, State of WA IT "WaTech"
Speakers:

• Jerry Cochran, CISO, Pacific Northwest National Lab
• J.R. Tietsort, CISO, Americas, Darktrace
• Andrew Cushman, CISO, City of Seattle

The Pacific Northwest Economic Region and its Center for Regional Disaster Resilience in partnership with Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute (GRI) were awarded a 2017 National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Security and Resilience Challenge grant for critical infrastructure. Held in Lakewood, Washington, this workshop presented the results of the technical research team (GRI) at utilizing self-directed drone technology (algorithms) and LIDAR to inspect damaged bridges in a post disaster scenario.

​Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) continue to be utilized in a range of industries and government agencies. As UAS/drone technology becomes more readily available, is your organization prepared to develop a professional micro-aviation program?

Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) continue to be utilized in a range of industries and government agencies. As UAS/drone technology becomes more readily available, is your organization prepared to develop a professional micro-aviation program?

The Center for Regional Disaster Resilience organized a webinar addressing these issues on Oct. 23rd, 2018. Watch the webinar recording here. Speakers include:

• Eric Holdeman, Director of the CRDR, moderated the webinar and provided a brief overview of the "Using Drones for Synchronization of Situational Awareness Between Critical Infrastructures and the Public Sector" DHS National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Security and Resilience Challenge Project.
• Charlton Evans, FAA and UAS expert from End State Solutions, discussed the regulatory considerations and the best practices in obtaining internal and external approval to establish a professional micro-aviation (drone) program​
• David Fleckenstein, Director, Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division, provided an update on Washington's UAS landscape in light of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018.

​​The Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR) and the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division, organized a workshop geared towards working professionals in the local and state government and the private sector. The workshop focused on applications of unmanned aerial systems (UAS)/drones in Washington State and featured expert speakers, UAS users, and interactive discussions. Read the report here.  

Development of a regional UAS working group

• Users Group Proposal 
• Join Users Group 

Inventory of activity in Washington State

• Survey (click here to participate)
• Inventory Summary

Identify policy, legislative and regulatory opportunities and hurdles
​Technical guides and references for attendees by Northeastern University's Global Resilience Institute

• In development- technical information HERE

Press Release from Washington State Department of Transportation 
July 5, 2018

• Exploring the possibilities of drones: Workshop brings together UAS experts and interested parties from public and private sectors

Using LAANC For Unmanned Aerial System Pilots

• Garth Bruce, June 2018

UAS / Drone Capabilities and Washington's Emergency Ecosystem

• Tom Hagen, June 2018

FirstNet is Here! Smart Communities, Smart Public Safety

• Bill Schrier, First Net

The Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) and its Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR) in partnership with Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute (GRI) were awarded a 2017 National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Security and Resilience Challenge grant for critical infrastructure. The project sought to develop technologies for UAS (drone) employment to technically inspect critical infrastructure in post disaster scenarios. Read the project description here. 

​There is a need for rapid damage assessment of critical infrastructure immediately following a disaster. Emerging UAS technology is allowing for an expedited and detailed damage assessment of infrastructure such as bridges and other steel and concrete structures within the built environment.

​This project investigated the technical capabilities of UAS to enhance the efficiency, fidelity, speed and safety of current critical infrastructure inspection methods by using machine intelligence. The policy, legislative and regulatory opportunities and hurdles were also identified.

Technical guides and references for attendees by Northeastern University's Global Resilience Institute

• Rapid Automated Damage Detection with Autonomous Robots Project

Project Wrap-up: Critical Infrastructure Inspection Project
Using Drone to Detect Damage to Bridges Workshop
When: December 13, 2018
Where: Puget Sound Area
More information HERE
Report HERE

Establishing a Professional Micro-Aviation (Drone) Program
When: October 23, 2018
Where: Webinar
More information HERE
Report HERE

Exploring Government and Private Sector Applications of UAS/Drones in Washington
When: June 28, 2018
Where: Lakewood, Washington
More information HERE
Report HERE

2018 Pacific Northwest Disaster Resilience Symposium
When: July 23, 2018
Where: Spokane, Washington
More information HERE
Report HERE

​Eric Holdeman, Director, CRDR, 
253-376-6683,  eric.holdeman@pnwer.org

​Philip Anderson, PhD, Associate Director for Research and Innovation, GRI, 
(703) 772-0132, p.anderson@northeastern.edu

​The Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR) worked with key private sector organizations and the Puget Sound Regional Catastrophic Planning Team (RCPT) to implement a series of stakeholder identified strategies to improve regional supply chain resilience. The goal of the project was to develop a supply chain resilience working group made up of public/private stakeholders to provide input and advise the region on issues related to supply chain resilience. Read the Final Report here. 

Through this process, the working group developed a mutual aid memorandum of understanding for Puget Sound ports to share resources during a catastrophic event; develop a regional strategy for supplying Community Points of Distribution for needed post-disaster government provided commodities; and create a strategy for coordinating between the government led recovery efforts and the private sector to more rapidly restore commerce and the economy.

Executive Summary
Washington State is one of the most trade dependent states in the United States, with an estimated one in three jobs being dependent on trade. It is projected that the supply chain network in the region and the state would be severely disrupted following a major earthquake on any of a number of the Northwest’s major faults. Additionally, a terrorist attack against a single point target or multiple targets of critical infrastructure could cripple the region’s ability to conduct commerce. Lessons learned from past events, such as the Kobe and Christchurch earthquake, reinforced the importance of recovery planning for the region.

The Regional Catastrophic Planning Team identified Supply Chain resilience as a priority issue for the region. As part of the work to build a more resilience Regional Supply Chain it was recommended to exam several of the past lessons learn from regional exercises and real world events. This report will highlight initial priorities that the Supply Chain Work Group identified as well as provide recommendations for regional coordination for supply chain resilience. The initial priorities the work group focused on include: designation of points of distribution, identification of alternate means of delivery, and disaster recovery transition planning between the government and private sector.

​It is important to note that this work group is committed to meeting beyond the end of the Regional Catastrophic Planning Grant Program. This project will be sustained through ongoing recovery planning activities in further developing comprehensive recovery plans. The PNWER Center for Regional Disaster Resilience in Partnership with the Washington State Homeland Security Region 6 Critical Infrastructure Work Group will manage any follow-on efforts after the time of the grant.

Scope
The main objectives of the project were to develop a supply chain resilience working group consisting of transportation and supply chain stakeholders across the 8 county RCPGP. A series of workshops conducted by the working group researched the designation of community points of distribution (CPODs), identification of alternate means of delivery, and transition plan from government to private sector.

Final Products/Deliverables

• Task 1. Create a working group to focus on supply chain resilience. This group will include key transportation and supply chain stakeholders, and additional state and local agencies, infrastructures, industry, businesses, and community organizations essential to sustaining the regional economy.
• Task 2. Develop a memorandum of understanding for Puget Sound ports for post-disaster mutual aid to assist in keeping maritime business in the region.
• Task 3. Identify best practices and develop a transportation strategy for community points of distribution for government provided commodities post disaster, track supply chain routes and alternate means of delivery.
• Task 4. Develop a strategy for coordination between government and the private sector after the government’s role in disaster response and short-term recovery are reduced and to more rapidly restore commerce and the economy.
• Task 5. Develop a Critical Infrastructure Protection Action Strategy in response to the transportation impacts identified during the Evergreen Earthquake, Blue Cascades, Maritime Projects, and other CIP related exercises.
• Task 6. Develop tools and pre-messages for sharing important transportation information between jurisdictions and transportation stakeholders, including promotion of the FirstToSee social media management system to the eight counties and all cities over 50,000 in the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program planning area

The Region 6 Critical Infrastructure Protection Workgroup recognized the need for an informative workshop that allowed private, public, and non-profit sector members to receive briefings on supply chain issues and information sharing. The Workshop agenda was designed by regional stakeholders and addressed issues that have surfaced during previous events. A number of prior workshops and exercises have pointed to the need to identify and share best practices between public and private sector organizations. The workshop focused on the importance of supply chain resilience to manufacturing and the broader business community.  Business leaders discussed supply chain and related continuity challenges and needs regarding business impacts, restoration decision-making, and potential areas of improvement. Read the Final Report here. 

Executive Summary
The workshop provided stakeholders from all infrastructure sectors an opportunity to learn about regional initiatives in critical infrastructure protection and resiliency. Topics included coordination of Regional Critical Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience; Private Sector Resilience; and Emergency Communications and Information Sharing. The Washington State Homeland Security Region 6 Critical Infrastructure Protection Workgroup composed the planning team for the Workshop. The purpose of this After Action Report (AAR) is to provide a summary of the proceedings from the Workshop. Organizations should use this document as an information tool for understanding topics highlighted during the Workshop. The AAR meets the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidelines and is meant as a reference guide to the issues covered during the Workshop. The participant feedback forms provided a majority of the information on attendees’ overall impression of the Workshop.

Major Strengths
The major strengths identified during this Workshop are as follows:

• The region has a developed relationship between the public and private sectors
• The workshop highlighted several interdependencies between the public and private sectors regarding supply chain and business continuity
• The organizations shared best practices for business continuity in the public sector