CRITSEC 2027
Nuclear and Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Forum
Presented by OSC Global
Hosted by Washington State University Tri-Cities
Date: April 1, 2027
Time: CritSec Forum
Location: Washington State University Tri-Cities
SAVE THE DATE - MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
Advancing the Security of Our Nation’s Most Critical Systems
As reactors, electrical grids and water systems become increasingly digital, the operational technology behind them becomes both more capable and more exposed.
Cybersecurity for operational technology has long been underinvested. That is changing, and the Pacific Northwest is positioned to help lead the way.
CRITSEC 2027 is the first annual forum dedicated to nuclear and critical infrastructure operational technology cybersecurity. Presented by OSC Global and hosted by Washington State University Tri-Cities, the event will bring together government, industry, academia and the next generation of cybersecurity professionals for meaningful conversations about protecting the systems that support our communities and national security.
Join us as this community comes together for the first time to share expertise, address emerging challenges, and help shape the future of critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
Ginger Wright
Program Manager, Cyber-Informed Engineering, Idaho National Laboratory
Ginger Wright leads the national effort to design cyber risk out of critical systems from the start. As INL's Cyber-Informed Engineering program manager, she directs the lab's work to put the Department of Energy's National Strategy for Cyber-Informed Engineering into practice. That work won the Institute for Security and Technology's Research Impact Cyber Policy Award. In May 2026 she testified before Congress on securing America's water systems. She also leads INL's Research Accelerator Department and is a Fellow of the Control System Cyber Security Association International.
Paul Francik
Cybersecurity Manager, Cyber Aware Design and Testing, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Paul Francik shows that the Tri-Cities can grow top cyber talent at home. A Columbia Basin College cybersecurity graduate and former chemical technologist at Hanford, he now manages PNNL's Cyber Aware Design and Testing team. The team finds weaknesses in connected energy and building systems before attackers can use them. Its threat profiles and vulnerability assessments inform Department of Energy programs.
Adam Palomarez
Deputy Vice President of Information Management, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
Adam Palomarez secures the infrastructure that keeps the Hanford cleanup mission running. Before his current role, he led the cyber and IT infrastructure implementation for Hanford's new Central Plateau Water Treatment Facility. That plant replaced the site's 1940s-era water plant, now supplies all drinking water to the Central Plateau cleanup hub, and supports tank waste treatment. A former Department of Energy ICS/SCADA cybersecurity program manager, he now directs cybersecurity and enterprise architecture across the Hanford Site.
James Cervini, EngD
Director and Principal Architect, OT Cybersecurity, OSC Technical Solutions
James Cervini brings national-lab research to the plant floor. Before joining OSC Technical Solutions, he was a senior OT/ICS cybersecurity researcher at Idaho National Laboratory, supporting DOE and industry on energy-sector security. His Johns Hopkins doctorate developed testbed-proven methods for keeping industrial control systems running under attack. Today he leads OSC-TS's OT cybersecurity work for nuclear and other high-consequence settings. His specialties are threat emulation, OT network architecture and incident response across energy, water, defense and manufacturing.
Assefaw Gebremedhin, PhD
Director, VICEROY Northwest Institute for Cybersecurity Education and Research (CySER), Washington State University
Assefaw Gebremedhin is building the Pacific Northwest's pipeline of cyber defenders. He directs CySER, which WSU set up in 2021 as one of the first three Department of Defense virtual institutes for cybersecurity training in the U.S. He also directs WSU's National Science Foundation CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program. He led WSU to its NSA designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research. He is Berry Family Distinguished Associate Professor at WSU’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a National Science Foundation CAREER Award recipient. He has brought in more than $26 million in research funding at WSU, including work on securing power grids and energy systems.
We are thrilled to be expanding our speaker lineup in the coming weeks.
Workforce Development Panel
Preparing the next generation of professionals to secure critical infrastructure requires collaboration across education, government and industry.
The CRITSEC Workforce Development Panel will feature representatives from Columbia Basin College, Washington State University and other participating organizations. Panelists will discuss workforce needs, education and training pathways, and opportunities to build the specialized skills required for OT cybersecurity careers.
CRITSEC 2027 will feature:
- Keynote presentations
- Technical presentations
- Expert panel discussions
- Nuclear and critical infrastructure cybersecurity insights
- OT cybersecurity workforce-development conversations
- Vendor exhibits
- Professional networking
- Opportunities to connect across government, industry and academia
CRITSEC 2027 is designed for professionals and leaders working across:
- Nuclear energy and environmental management
- Operational technology and industrial control systems
- Energy and water infrastructure
- Cybersecurity and risk management
- Engineering and system design
- Government and national security
- Higher education and workforce development
- Technology and cybersecurity solution providers
Become a Sponsor
Support the first annual CRITSEC forum and help advance collaboration, education and innovation in nuclear and critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
Sponsorship provides an opportunity to showcase your organization to leaders and professionals from government, industry and academia while demonstrating your commitment to protecting the systems essential to our nation and communities.
For sponsorship information, contact:
John Roach
john.roach@osc-global.com