Eric Byres

Eric Byres is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in the field of SCADA, ICS and IIoT security. Eric’s background as both a process controls engineer and security researcher allows him to bring a unique combination of deep technical knowledge plus practical field experience to the industry.

Eric’s vision for cybersecurity includes two key pillars: robust security tailored for industrial requirements, and easy installation and configuration to meet the needs of the workers on the plant floor.

Eric has researched and written extensively about Stuxnet, the malware discovered in the summer of 2010 that has been a game changer in the world of industrial cybersecurity.

Eric has been responsible for numerous standards and best practices for data communications and controls systems security in industrial environments. This was formally recognized in Oct 2009 when the International Society of Automation (ISA) awarded him the rare honor of ISA Fellow for his outstanding achievements in science and engineering, as recognized by his ISA peers. In November 2013 he was awarded a second time, receiving the ISA Excellence in Leadership, the society’s highest honor.

Before starting Tofino Security, Eric founded the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Critical Infrastructure Security Centre. He shaped it into one of North America’s leading academic facilities in the field of SCADA cyber security, culminating in a SANS Institute Security Leadership Award in 2006.

Eric held the Advanced Systems Institute (ASI) fellowship for industrial network security research from 2002 to 2005. In 1999, he was the winner of the Best Paper Award at the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Pulp and Paper Industrial Applications Conference and in September 2000 he won the IEEE Outstanding Industry Applications Article award for his paper on ICS security.

Eric was the Chair of the ISA-99 Security Technologies Working Group, which is responsible for the standardization of technologies for Industrial Automation and Control System cybersecurity. He was also the Chair of ISA99 Task Group 2, and lead the analysis of ISA/IEC-62443 standards with respect to Stuxnet

He is also the Canadian representative for IEC TC65/WG13, a standards effort focusing on an international framework for the protection of process facilities from cyber attack

The SCADA security community has benefited from a large number of articles, white papers, and Practical SCADA Security’ blog posts contributed by Eric.

Eric has spoken at many industry events, and he is known for his down-to-earth and informative speaking style. Eric has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and is a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.).

Today Eric is the CEO of aDolus Inc, a security research and development company, based in Dallas, TX. He is also the Senior Partner at ICS Secure, advising investors and IT companies entering the ICS and “Internet of Things” security markets.