What a tremendous event! PCItek is thrilled to report a highly successful week at DISTRIBUTECH International 2026 in San Diego. We had a great time connecting with peers, industry professionals, and technology leaders, and we truly enjoyed the opportunity to share our expertise and collaborate on the future of the grid.

A special thank you to our valued partner and co-host, SISCO (our Value Added Reseller for Garibaldi). Our joint presence at Booth #1708 allowed us to showcase the advanced capabilities of our Garibaldi Software for 61850 & DNP3 security and demonstrate how our solutions contribute to a smarter, more resilient, and integrated electrical grid.

The event served as an invaluable platform to engage directly with global experts, learn from real-world deployments, and connect with those driving next-generation grid architecture.

As Margaret Goodrich, President of PCItek, shared regarding our participation: “This event is an invaluable platform to engage with our peers, share real-world deployment lessons, and collaborate on the next generation of standards that will strengthen system resilience across the utility landscape.”

We look forward to continued collaboration with utilities, integrators, and technology leaders as we collectively work towards grid modernization!

Shell Knob, MO – PCItek, a premier provider of integration consulting, solutions, and tools for the utility security industry, today announced it has joined the inaugural cohort of the Phoenix Contact Technology Alliance Program (TAP). This strategic partnership will allow PCItek to deliver validated, interoperable, and cutting-edge cybersecurity and automation applications directly onto Phoenix Contact’s high-reliability computing platforms.

The Technology Alliance Program is designed to accelerate the industry shift from complex, multi-appliance architectures to converged, high-performance platforms. By integrating its specialized solutions into the TAP ecosystem, PCItek will enable utility customers to simplify their operational technology (OT) infrastructure while enhancing security and performance.

“The utility sector faces immense pressure to secure critical infrastructure while also improving operational efficiency. Our partnership with Phoenix Contact through the TAP initiative directly addresses this need,” said Margaret Goodrich of PCItek.

Key benefits for the program include:

• Hardware Consolidation: Reduced device footprint, lower power consumption, and simplified cabling through consolidation of dedicated appliances.
• Increased Reliability: Improved mean time between failure by reducing failure points in the consolidated architecture.
• Streamlined Deployment: Simplified and faster deployment of essential cybersecurity and automation workloads.
• Vendor Agnostic Platform: A flexible platform that adapts to the customer’s preferred toolset, supporting a broad ecosystem of validated third-party applications.
• TAP partners work to expand the capabilities of Phoenix Contact’s broader computing ecosystem through applications validated for seamless interoperability. PCItek is part of the first wave of partners alongside global cyber defense and OT security leaders such as Cyvault, EmberOT, Industrial Defender, JPembedded and SyskeyOT.

About PCItek
PCItek delivers integration consulting, solutions, and products to the utility industry, specializing in helping companies manage their critical operational technology and infrastructure.

Wendell, North Carolina, USA – PCItek reports a highly successful participation in the 61850 Users Group – North American Meeting, held from October 22–23, 2025, in Wendell, North Carolina. The event, themed “Joining Forces to Innovate, Connect, and Lead the Future of Smart Grid Technology,” served as a vital platform for advancing power system interoperability.

PCItek played a significant role in the meeting, engaging with global experts, implementers, and newcomers to collaborate on shaping the next chapter of smart grid technology. The company underscored the importance of the IEC 61850 standard, which is central to unifying protection, control, monitoring, and communication across diverse systems and vendors.

The meeting provided an excellent platform for industry professionals to exchange insights and deepen their knowledge. PCItek, known for its expertise in systems and power engineering, reinforced its commitment to promoting the use and understanding of the IEC 61850 standards, thereby directly supporting the grid security industry as a whole. The company’s active engagement highlighted its dedication to fostering consistency in implementation, sharing lessons learned, and helping stakeholders stay informed on critical 61850 developments that drive innovation and strengthen system resilience.

“The 61850 Users Group meeting was a valuable opportunity for PCItek,” said a company representative. “It allowed us to connect with our peers and reinforce how 61850-based solutions are critical for a smarter, more integrated grid. We look forward to continued engagement with the energy industry and participation in future events to further the advancement of energy technology and grid transformation.”

PCItek looks forward to continued engagement with the energy industry and participation in future events, further contributing to the advancement of energy technology and grid security.

PCItek reports a successful participation at the 34th annual DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition held in Dallas, Texas, March 24-27, 2025. DistribuTECH, a leading event for the transmission and distribution sector, brought together over 17,400 attendees and 650 exhibitors.

PCItek, along with Triangle MicroWorks (TMW), actively engaged with industry professionals, sharing insights on technologies used to move electricity from power plants to consumers. Herbert S. Falk, Senior Systems Architect at PCItek, was a featured speaker at the event on March 26, 2025.

Additionally, the NexGen OT2S Security Alliance presented on “The Current State of Cybersecurity in IEC 61850 and DNP3” at the Resiliency Knowledge Hub Booth #1001 on March 27, 2025. This session addressed the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the Power OT sector and discussed advancements in communication protocols.

“DistribuTECH 2025 was a fantastic event for PCItek,” said Margaret Goodrich, President of PCItek. “It provided an excellent platform to connect with our peers, discuss the challenges and opportunities in our industry, and showcase our latest innovations. We had a great experience.”

PCItek, known for its expertise in systems and power engineering, and its Garibaldi Software for 61850 & DNP3 security, found DistribuTECH to be a valuable opportunity to connect with industry leaders and discuss the latest developments in energy technology.

The UCA International Users Group also participated at DistribuTECH, inviting members of the energy industry.

PCItek looks forward to continued engagement with the energy industry and participation in future events.

SHELL KNOB, MISSOURI, On February 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that EPRI received $5 million to identify new cybersecurity tools and technologies designed to reduce cyber risks for energy infrastructure. The EPRI team, which includes Project Consultants, LLC (DBA: PCItek), will implement new cyber security for the DNP3 AMP standard used by Electric Utilities in North America.

Cybersecurity innovations are necessary to ensure the U.S. energy systems can continue to supply energy to American homes, businesses, and communities. This funding, awarded through DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), will support the Garibaldi Key Distribution and System Management System.

“I am thrilled that PCItek has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for our commitment to strengthening the security of the utility industry,” said Margaret Goodrich, President of PCItek. “We are proud to provide innovative solutions that support the resilience of our nation’s energy grid against cyber threats. This funding enables us to further develop and implement cutting-edge cybersecurity tools, ensuring a safer and more reliable energy supply for all Americans.”

The Distributed Network Protocol (DNP3) Authentication and Authorization project will leverage PCItek’s expertise in integrating operational systems to develop and implement innovative cybersecurity solutions for critical energy infrastructure. This project aims to advance the security in the relays for utility grids and ultimately strengthen the resilience of the U.S. energy grid against cyberattacks.

As part of the project, the PCItek Garibaldi Key Distribution and System Management System will be extended to provide a management entity (a.k.a. a DNP3 Authority) for the Distributed Network Protocol (DNP3) Authentication and Authorization Protocol (a.k.a. AMP). This project is one of 16 projects selected by CESER to address a wide range of current and emerging cyber threats facing energy systems, including electricity, oil, and natural gas, from generation through delivery and provides centralized security management for DNP3 SAv6.

The power grid faces unique cybersecurity challenges due to its complex infrastructure and reliance on industrial control systems. Threats include physical security breaches, malware attacks, and zero-day exploits. 

Utilities must adhere to strict regulations, such as NERC CIP standards, to protect critical infrastructure. Implementing best practices like access control, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems can bolster security measures. Staying informed about emerging threats and trends is crucial for maintaining a resilient power grid.

Cybersecurity tools elevate the value proposition of digital substation relays, providing a competitive advantage for OEMs, VARs, and salespeople. Implementation technicians can receive detailed explanations of these cutting-edge security features and functionalities. These advanced solutions empower utilities to safeguard their power grid against cyber threats proactively.

Click here to read more about CESER. Learn more about PCItek’s work in cybersecurity here.

About PCItek

PCItek specializes in cyber security products and model/data integration for Operations in the utility industry. Their expertise in data exchange models, message payloads, and cybersecurity is unsurpassed. Our solutions streamline operations, enhance security, and ensure reliable energy delivery. PCItek is committed to empowering utilities with cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving challenges of the modern energy landscape.

About CESER

The Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) is dedicated to reducing the risk of energy disruptions caused by cyber threats. CESER collaborates with government, industry, academia, and national laboratories to develop innovative cybersecurity solutions. 

The office focuses on research, development, and demonstration projects that enhance information sharing, mitigate cyber incidents, and increase the resilience of the U.S. energy infrastructure. CESER’s work aligns with national priorities and directives to ensure the security of our nation’s energy systems.