The Automation Federation has hired renowned industrial control systems cybersecurity expert Marty Edwards as its new managing director. Edwards, a 25-year industry veteran, is currently serving as director of the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT), an operational division of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ICS-CERT works to reduce industrial control system risks within and across all critical infrastructure sectors by coordinating efforts among federal, state, local and tribal governments, as well as industrial control systems owners, operators and vendors. Prior to his ICS-CERT role, Edwards was a program manager focused on control systems security work at Idaho National Laboratory and held a wide variety of roles in the instrumentation and automation fields, including field service, instrument engineering, control systems engineering and project management.

The Automation Federation—an association of non-profit member organizations—is dedicated to fostering economic growth and manufacturing innovation by helping industry harness the immense capabilities and potential of automation technologies and applications. Its initiatives and expertise are focused on three key areas: industrial cybersecurity; workforce development; and member advocacy.

As the umbrella and outreach association of the International Society of Automation (ISA)—the developer of the world’s only consensus-based series of industrial cybersecurity standards (ISA/IEC 62443)—the Automation Federation works with government and industrial leaders to mitigate IACS security vulnerabilities.

“ISA and the Automation Federation are proud and excited to announce this news,” said ISA Executive Director and CEO Patrick Gouhin. “Mr. Edwards brings a remarkable and unique skill set – he is unquestionably one of the world’s foremost experts in industrial cybersecurity, and he has a background in real-world instrumentation and automation engineering. His knowledge and experience will prove an invaluable asset for automation professionals around the world in his new role, as he builds on the hard work and vision of our current Managing Director, Mike Marlowe. We owe Mr. Marlowe a debt of gratitude for his tireless dedication as a leader of the Automation Federation, and he has left a legacy for Mr. Edwards to continue.”

"I am excited to be joining an organization that will allow me to get back to my instrumentation and control system roots, and contribute to the success of the highly critical field of automation," said Edwards.

The Automation Federation has a distinguished history of involvement and expertise in industrial cybersecurity. Upon request from the US federal government, representatives of the Automation Federation assisted in the creation of the US Cybersecurity Framework and helped to implement the provisions of the US Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014. The ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards—representing a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity—are integral components of the US government’s current and future plans to combat industrial cyberattack.

At the invitation of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)—an agency within the US Department of Commerce—the Automation Federation also plays a prominent role in organizing and participating in workshops designed to educate executives and manufacturing leaders on the vital need to implement recommended US Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.

The Automation Federation partners with a wide range of other government organizations (such as the US Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, the US Department of Labor and the US National Guard) and private-sector groups (such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Rural Water Association) as well as its own members and working groups to leverage the strengths of ISA/IEC 62443 in defense of cyberwarfare.

Edwards will begin his tenure at the Automation Federation on June 26. Marlowe will continue with the organization as managing director emeritus until his retirement in December.

Edwards holds a diploma of technology in process control and industrial automation (Magna cum Laude) from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and in 2015 received its Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2016, Mr. Edwards was recognized by FCW in their “Federal 100 awards” as being one of the top IT professionals in the federal government.