The utility industry has long been at or near the top of any list of critical industries vulnerable to bad actors. While cybersecurity receives significant attention, physical security is equally critical, and utility leaders have been actively addressing this threat. The global utility physical security market is estimated to exceed $10 billion today and is projected to grow to more than $31 billion by 2032 (Source: Allied Market Research).

This Energy Central PowerSession featured a roundtable discussion with utility and security leaders at the forefront of addressing physical security challenges. Panelists included leaders from TXNM Energy, WSP, Bosch, and 3B Protection. The discussion explored integrated physical security solutions, including ballistic walls, drone detection, radar, LIDAR, and other emerging technologies.

Utilities sit at the top of critical infrastructure sectors most vulnerable to attacks. While cybersecurity often dominates headlines, physical security threats pose equally urgent risks — and utility leaders are taking action.

The global utility physical security market exceeds $10 billion today and is projected to grow to over $31 billion by 2032 (Allied Market Research), reflecting a wave of investment, innovation, and urgency.

This exclusive Energy Central PowerSession brings together leading experts in utility and infrastructure security for a roundtable discussion on the pressing physical security challenges facing the industry. Panelists will examine how utilities are deploying integrated solutions that leverage ballistic protection, drone detection, radar, LIDAR, and advanced surveillance technologies to protect critical assets and grid operations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the evolving physical security threat landscape facing utilities, and why infrastructure protection is rising as a top investment priority alongside cybersecurity.

• Evaluate integrated physical security solutions, including ballistic barriers, radar and LIDAR detection, drones, and advanced monitoring platforms.

• Identify strategies utilities are using to improve situational awareness and response, informed by real-world deployments and ongoing innovation from industry leaders.

• Explore practical approaches for scalable security improvements, including partnerships, technology deployment, and long-term investment planning.

Panelists

• Martin Rivera, Technical Project Manager, Texas New Mexico Energy

• Jon Carstensen, Critical Infrastructure Manager, Bosch

• Dominic Dillon, CEO, 3B Protection

• Chris Ott, Director of Infrastructure Security, WSP