Vice President of Security

Frank Harrill is the vice president of Security for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, which invents, designs, and builds digital products and systems that protect power grids around the world. Frank retired from the FBI in 2016, where he devoted over 20 years to the investigation of sophisticated cyber attacks, terrorist incidents, and other federal crimes. Prior to joining the FBI, he served in the United States Navy for nearly 10 years as a carrier pilot and jet flight instructor. In 2011, Frank earned a master’s degree in information technology with an emphasis in security and assurance from Carnegie Mellon University. He obtained a certified information systems security professional (CISSP) certification in 2004.

Frank Harrill

As our reliance on electric power continues to grow, so does the need to protect the grid from cyber threats. In this episode, guest host Frank Harrill, VP of Security at SEL, talks with cybersecurity expert Andre Ristaino about how industry standards, specifically IEC 62443, are shaping the future of industrial cybersecurity, including their impact on the electric power grid.

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Strategy Advisor and Business Development

Andre consults on strategy, policy, and business development for OT cybersecurity programs, products, and services. Stakeholders include asset owners, product suppliers, industry organizations, and government entities. He retired from the International Society of Automation (ISA) after 18 years, where he led the establishment of four ISA industry consortiums and two conformity assessment programs, including the ISA Security Compliance Institute (ISCI), ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (ISA100 WCI), ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA), and Incident Command System for Industrial Control Systems (ICS4ICS).

Prior to ISA, Andre held positions at NEMA, Renaissance Worldwide, and Deloitte’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Group, where he was a recognized leader in system lifecycle methodologies.

He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master's degree in applied computing from American University in Washington, D.C., with a focus on expert systems and artificial intelligence.

Fortifying the Power Grid: The Role of IEC 62443 and Cybersecurity Standards