Our team is growing! We want to welcome our new Permit Specialist, Crystal Martin. She’s here to support our beverage systems’ customers by obtaining installment permits for newly installed CO2 tanks. We’re so glad to have you with us, Crystal! Read on to learn more about her favorite things, proudest accomplishments and the most high-maintenance members of her family.

BPC: Where did you work before starting at BPC? 

Crystal: I was the Operations Manager for a network infrastructure company called GCF.

BPC: What are you looking forward to most about working at BPC?

Crystal: Learning all about an industry that is completely new to me!

BPC: Who inspires you professionally? 

Crystal: I try to find inspiration from everyone I work with. Everyone’s role is important to the success of the company, so learning about each type of job helps you understand why your position is an important asset. 

BPC: What’s your most-used productivity hack?

Crystal: At the end of each day, I write down the first three things I need to accomplish the next morning.

BPC: Where’s the best place you’ve traveled?

Crystal: I’ve been fortunate to travel around the world. In the United States, the best place is Mount Rainier in Washington State, and outside the US, the best place is Norway.

BPC: What’s something/someone you’re proud of?

Crystal: My daughter Colyn – she’s in the Engineering program at Flowery Branch High School and also on the swim team. Also, this year my husband Brian and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary!

BPC: What’s your favorite food? 

Crystal: A traditional southern meal like meatloaf or fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans is the best!  

BPC: What’s your favorite movie? 

Crystal: I love anything from the Lord of the Rings franchise and movies based on Jane Austen books. A particular favorite not related to either of those is The Station Agent.

BPC: How do you like to spend your time? 

Crystal: I love reading and traditional needlecrafts, and I also do a little painting and pottery. As a family, we love camping, hiking and traveling anywhere.

BPC: Do you have any pets? 

Crystal: We have two very high-maintenance rescue cats named Chutney and Kit Kat.

BPC: Who are your favorite sports teams? 

Crystal: University of Tennessee (Go Vols!!) and the Atlanta Braves.

Did you know that exposure to equipment breakdown and property damage exist if Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are compromised, either due to human error or cyber-attack? With advancements in technology, ICS are migrating to require extensive operator training, while also being subject to greater risk of cyber hacking. The advancement in ICS enables industrial processes to be remotely monitored and managed from a central location. This allows organizations to achieve greater efficiency and productivity, however, this comes at the cost of infiltrating the physical network that protects the legacy systems from cyber threats. 

ICS is referred to as Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and other control system configurations like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). ICS have been utilized for years to control and document operating parameters of machinery in all types of power plants, chemical plants, miscellaneous industrial sectors and infrastructures. 

In the past, manufacturing companies were connected within the network of a single organization, but a connection with the outside world through the internet was limited. However, when technology evolved, the internet connections became worldwide with the evolution of iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and many others. All these digital media platforms are vulnerable to infiltrations by unauthorized sources, often referred to as hacking. 

While I do not specialize in underwriting and insurance coverages, it’s my understanding that damage to equipment/property and business loss due to compromised ICS is covered under EB coverage. A major global property insurance company is providing extensive training to field staff in evaluating and recommending ICS/Cyber security exposures and BI Loss as the result. 

There are two major sources of EB due to ICS failure: 

1. Human error in operating ICS by staff and authorized contractors. In addition to technical training, the training program should include procedures to evaluate proficiency in the use of ICS. 
2. Improper and purposeful misuse of access given. If contractors are given access, there should be a monitoring system to detect improper and misuse of access.

Cyber Security, in the context of ICS, is defined as “the protection of industrial control systems from threats from cyber attackers”. It is often referred to as Operational Technology (OT) Security and includes a wide range of practices including:

1. Asset inventory and detection
2. Vulnerability management
3. Network intrusion protection and detection
4. Endpoint detection and response
5. Patch management
6. User and access management

Those involved in completing the CERR type of AXA report employ the use of a form in the report – Cyber Exposure to Equipment Control. It addresses the compromised areas of ICS with respect to its cyber security network. In completing this section, the exposures and management program should be discussed and proper information provided.

Additionally, a corporate program for development of a centrally-driven cyber security policy for effective management, operation, and security of the ICS is necessary. There is a range of standards; CIS Top 20, NIST CS, IEC 62443, and others, that address cyber security issues. Several ICS manufacturers require certification as qualified anti-terrorism technology under the US Safety Act (Homeland Security). One such system that is widely used in power generation is Emerson Ovation DCS. Ovation supports integrated vibration monitoring, generator excitation control, Safety Instrument Systems (SIS), scalable footprints for small or distributed applications, virtualization and embedded simulation.

At our level of property inspection surveys, the most important factor to address is the operator training, review of operator performances and a corporate policy to ensure that contractors and vendors are not provided access without proper security screening. Also, cyber security is the responsibility of corporate management. It is advisable to discuss if there exists a formal ICS security strategy, policy and cross functional teams for effective management, operation and implementation of ICS security programs.

Anzar Hasan

We love bringing new members onto our team, and earlier this year, we had the pleasure of welcoming Trey John as a jurisdictional inspector. Since then, he’s also earned a great accomplishment: obtaining the National Board IS Commission. Congratulations, Trey! 

Read on to learn more about him.

BPC: How did you hear about BPC?

Trey: I actually found out about BPC through a current employee in a Facebook Group for ex-Navy Nukes.

BPC: What did you do before coming on board with us?

Trey: I’ve been with BPC since February 2023, but prior to BPC, I was a locomotive commissioning and warranty technician with Siemens Mobility and before that, a MMN1 ELT in the Navy.

BPC: What kind of objects will you be  inspecting?

Trey: I’ll be inspecting boilers and pressure vessels of all types in locations ranging from churches to chemical and manufacturing plants.

BPC: What are some interesting things you’ve seen during your training?

Trey: When I was in the Chicago area, I was able to see a HRT boiler from 1930. It wasn’t operational anymore, but it was very interesting to see. I’ve also climbed to the top of a huge crane in a shipyard to inspect a pressure vessel. 

Many of the buildings I’ve been to are extremely old and the architecture is amazing to see. There are a lot of interesting things about this job.

BPC: What do you enjoy most about working here?

Trey: I really enjoy the fact that every day is different – I never know what I’ll see or who I’ll meet. It keeps my days interesting and non-repetitive. 

On top of that, we have an amazing team. If I have a question about anything, I know someone is willing and able to help. The amount of support I have is by far my favorite part of the company.

BPC: What do you think sets us apart from our competitors?

Trey: BPC is more of a family than an employer in my eyes. Every supervisor, inspector and office support staff I’ve interacted with has been nothing short of amazing. Everyone asks about family and how things are going, they get excited and congratulate us on our victories – like obtaining the National Board IS Commission – and guide us in the right direction when things are unclear. I can’t say enough good about how awesome every single person is here and I’m proud to be a part of this team!

Thanks so much, Trey, for hitting the ground running. People like you are what make BPC great!