Industrial Controls has opened registration for the 2017 Automation & Controls Conference. The free, one-day event will take place on Friday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newark Airport in Newark, NJ. FBI Special Agents Kevin Rietema and Christian Schorle will deliver the keynote address, “Protecting Industry from Cyber Attacks.”

Now in its fifth year, the Automation & Controls Conference is a learning and networking event for professionals in the infrastructure, power plant, water, transportation, and building automation industries, according to Joe Callaghan, vice president of sales at Industrial Controls.

“The Automation & Controls Conference brings together professionals from a variety of industries with innovative vendors who are showcasing their newest products, providing live demonstrations, and leading educational sessions,” Callaghan said. “This annual event is all about solutions, and this year, our focus is on exploring how to get the most out of automation systems while minimizing potential risks associated with cyber security.”

The keynote address will be presented by Special Agents Rietema and Schorle, who have more than 30 years of combined experience at the FBI. The address will examine both criminal and national security issues as they relate to specific infrastructure sectors, including water, power, and transportation.

Special Agent Rietema is currently assigned to New Jersey’s National Security Branch/Joint Terrorism Task Force, where he provides investigative, analytical, and operational support across all programs, including cyber investigations, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, counterproliferation, and terrorism finance. Special Agent Schorle is currently assigned to Newark’s Cyber Crimes Task Force, where he is responsible for leading national security investigations relating to corporate espionage, advanced computer intrusions, denial of service attaches, malware eruptions, and theft of financial information.

To learn more about the 2017 Automation & Controls Conference, browse vendors, and register, visit www.industrialcontrolsonline.com/informationcenter/2017-automation-controls-conference.