InfraGard Houston June Chapter Meeting

You are invited to the June InfraGard Houston Chapter Meeting hosted by the Houston InfraGard Members Alliance.

Date/Time: June 26, 2024, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM CST

Location: Harris County Department of Education (Westview Location), 6005 Westview Drive, Houston, Texas 77055

Topic: Today’s cyber-physical systems are much more highly connected than they were at the start of this millennium. The cost of computing and the speed of communication in just the last seven years have brought industries higher performance, optimization, visibility, advanced system diagnostics with high reliability and availability fault tolerance, analytics and production yields that unquestionably have revolutionized all industry sectors. Convergence of site automation system technologies and traditional enterprise IT systems have become more prevalent and provide opportunities such as the remote mobile worker, integration into MES and ERP systems and remote access for troubleshooting and support. While this has benefits, it also brings inherent risk to plant operating environments. Come join us for a lively discussion on the topic!

Presenter: InfraGard Houston President Marco Ayala

Marco Ayala has over 28 years of experience where he designed, implemented, and maintained process instrumentation, automation systems, safety systems, and process control networks. In his role with a large global manufacturing company, he is responsible for applications globally that are specific to plant site operations and corporate governance.

With around two decades focused specifically on industrial cybersecurity, he has led efforts to secure the oil and gas (all streams), maritime port, offshore facilities, and chemical sectors, supporting federal, local, and state entities for securing the private sector.

Marco is highly active in International Society of Automation and is a longtime member. He is a 22-year Senior Member and a certified cyber instructor for ISA (62443) with volunteering commitments and contributor to the AMSC Gulf of Mexico (GOM) cybersecurity committee in a sworn in role to the USCG as Chair of Threat Intelligence and Cybersecurity for the outer continental shelf (OCS).

Marco has been an InfraGard member since 2014, and is currently serving as the President for the Houston Members Alliance.

Agenda: 11:30 Registration, Networking, Lunch

12:00 Opening Remarks & Chapter Announcements

12:15 FBI Corner

12:30 Presentation

1:20 Q&A

1:30 Adjourn