It was May of 2011 when USA first embarked on a coordinated response to the challenges of Cyber Security – over nine years ago! Jesse Smith, an industry leader, was brought on board to oversee the project. None of us realized at that time the challenges we would encounter as we all worked to get the USA plants through the first round of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Inspections. At first, delays were encountered, and schedules changed as more and more challenges were identified in the world of cyber security that would have to be addressed and protected against. Each challenge realized required changes to the many procedures and process documents required to manage the program at each station. Lots has happened since Jesse and the team undertook the challenge. Great progress has been made.
The initial project description was for the Cyber Security Project Team to review, analyze and evaluate the effect of the changes necessitated by Title 10, Part 73, “Physical Protection of Plants and Materials,” Section 73.54, “Protection of Digital Computer and Communications Systems and Networks,” of the Code of Federal Regulations. Plans and schedules were developed to address the implementation of actions to address the ever-changing Cyber Security rule as a fleet. The activities of the team were developed using the guidance of NEI 08-09, Cyber Security Plan for Nuclear Power Reactors and NEI 13-10, Cyber Security Control Assessment. Mr. Jesse Smith was selected as the Project lead.
Almost immediately, Jesse and the team went to work developing generic procedures for use at all of the sites and implementing the many program procedures, training materials, and plans for audits and self-assessments required to make sure all the stations were ready for the cyber security requirements and the resulting Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspections that would be coming.
Over the next years documents continued to be developed generically as needed for translation to site specific documents. The expectations of the industry changed as the industry grappled with the changing cyber challenges imposed by the evolving cyber abilities.
As time went by, Jesse and the USA Team became the industry experts. Many companies sought the counsel and advice of the USA Team. The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) came to regard the input of the USA team as instrumental as the program continued to evolve industry wide.
Jesse and the team also saved large amounts of dollars for each of the member stations and PSEG, who chose to stay engaged with the team even after they left the Alliance. Each individual site benefitted by not incurring costs associated with contractor project management and the expenses associated with such a project. Cost savings and sharing opportunities are evident due to the actions required at each facility varying only slightly. Based on the size and complexity of the elements required to meet the NRC Cyber Security Rule, the sharing of resources has resulted in tremendous savings over the length of the project.
At this time, the team has accomplished the intended goal. Each of the member stations and the PSEG plants have completed their initial inspections with one exception. Only Cook remains and their inspection will not occur until 2021. As a result, the Cyber Security Project Team will transition to a Networking Team beginning in August. The Project has been a success! They got it done. Working together as a Networking Team will ensure all of the elements required to ensure Cook is ready for their initial inspection in 2021 will remain in place.
Jesse has not decided what is next for him, but whether it’s sitting on a creek bank fishing or another nuclear industry challenge, we all wish Jesse the very best.
As Dave Feitl said when asked about Jesse’s contributions, “I have worked with Jesse since 2011 when I first got involved with Nuclear Cyber Security as the IT Manager at Prairie Island. Later in 2013, I became the Cyber Security Program Manager with the responsibility to implement the Cyber Security Plan for Xcel Energy Nuclear fleet. Jesse has been an indispensable resource to our USA fleet, coordinating peer assessments, supporting inspections, and facilitating the information lifeline for our group as we have navigated the implementation and operations of our programs. His dedication to us and his assistance to the mission will be missed.”
John Christensen, USA President & CEO notes, “I have known and worked with Jesse since the inception of the USA Cyber-Security team effort. Jesse has been a valuable and essential member of the USA team since day one. His dedication, professionalism, integrity, and friendship made the team the success that it is. We all wish Jesse the best as he moves on to the next phase of his life.”
Jesse, thanks for a fantastic job! Thanks for getting us all through the many challenges and we all hope you have the very best of luck with that fishing pole.