Utilities organizations operate some of the most critical infrastructure in modern society. Electric grids, water systems, and energy generation facilities must function continuously while facing rising cyber threats targeting operational technology (OT), industrial control systems, and national infrastructure. Cybersecurity leaders in Pennsylvania’s utilities sector play a crucial role in protecting these systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and safeguarding the reliability of essential services.
Damian Sopher — Chief Information Security Officer, Westinghouse Electric Company
Damian Sopher serves as Chief Information Security Officer at Westinghouse Electric Company, a global nuclear energy technology provider operating in one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. With nearly two decades of experience in information technology and cybersecurity, Sopher leads initiatives focused on incident response, vulnerability management, security engineering, and governance. Since joining Westinghouse in 2011, he has played a key role in building and expanding the company’s cybersecurity capabilities while ensuring that business operations and engineering innovation remain secure.
Steve Miller — Director of Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence & Protection, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, UGI Utilities, Inc.
Steve Miller serves as Director of Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence & Protection and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at UGI Utilities. With nearly three decades at the organization, Miller has held multiple leadership roles across infrastructure services, data administration, and cybersecurity operations. His work focuses on strengthening threat intelligence capabilities, protecting critical utility infrastructure, and ensuring operational resilience across the company’s technology environment.
Ian Hayes — Director of Cybersecurity, American Water
Ian Hayes leads cybersecurity operations at American Water, one of the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility companies in the United States. His work centers on managing security operations and implementing security initiatives aligned with evolving threat landscapes and regulatory requirements. Hayes’ experience includes leading security programs across complex environments, including infrastructure protection, enterprise security operations, and compliance frameworks such as NIST.
Michael Tallent — Managing Director & Chief Information Security Officer, Duquesne Light Company
Michael Tallent serves as Managing Director and Chief Information Security Officer at Duquesne Light Company, where he leads cybersecurity strategy for electric utility infrastructure. With over 15 years of CISO experience in the energy sector, Tallent has overseen the development of comprehensive cybersecurity programs aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and NERC CIP regulatory requirements. His leadership includes protecting both IT and operational technology systems, strengthening threat intelligence capabilities, and maintaining secure grid operations across the company’s energy infrastructure.
Joe Wertz — Director of Global Cybersecurity & Americas Infrastructure, EnerSys
Joe Wertz leads global cybersecurity and infrastructure initiatives at EnerSys, a company that develops and manufactures energy storage and power solutions used across industrial and utility environments. His role focuses on strengthening cybersecurity governance, protecting enterprise infrastructure, and supporting operational resilience across the organization’s global technology operations.
Securing Critical Infrastructure
Utilities organizations sit at the foundation of modern economies, powering cities, industries, and essential services. Cybersecurity leadership within this sector is vital for protecting infrastructure that millions rely on daily. The leaders featured here are helping strengthen resilience across Pennsylvania’s utilities ecosystem while ensuring that energy and infrastructure systems remain secure against evolving cyber threats.
To see how cybersecurity leaders protect complex financial platforms and highly regulated digital banking ecosystems, explore CISOs to Watch in Pennsylvania’s Financial Services Industry.