Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the SEC Newsletter.
In this edition you will find out how you can view our webinar videos, what updates are included in Version 2.2 of the Security Controls Framework and how Suppliers are using the Alternative Home Area Network’s services. Read on to learn about Draft Proposals, Modcasts and more. We hope that you enjoy this newsletter.
New approach for engaging Other SEC Parties
Thank you to all those who attended our first Other SEC Party focused webinar on 11 November 2020. The purpose was to introduce their SEC Panel Representatives, Ashley Pocock and Terry Jefferson, raise awareness of relevant updates and how to share their views with their SEC Panel Representatives and SECAS.
Other SEC Parties will be invited to a monthly engagement call on 9 December 2020 at 3pm. Attendees will hear from Ashley and Terry about upcoming Panel agenda items, and any other key updates. To register your interest please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
Watch our webinar videos to build your knowledge
SEC Parties can watch the videos of our previous short topic-focused webinars and presentation slides on our Webinars page. If you have any questions or suggested topics for future webinars, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
Security Controls Framework Version 2.2 now published
SEC Parties can now view the updated Security Controls Framework (SCF) Version 2.2 Part 1 and Part 2. Updates to SCF Part 2 Appendix B include:
- A clarification that compliance with the SEC obligation in Appendix AD Section 3.3.1 – to use an XML format Signing Key to sign Device User Interface Specification commands; and
- A clarification that the User CIO (Competent Independent Organisation) will now assess compliance with SEC Appendix Z Section 6.3 – to submit a Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) Remedial Plan for affected Devices to the Security Sub-Committee upon request.
For more information please click here. Please contact the Security Team with any questions.
Energy Suppliers provide first indicative forecasts for Alt HAN equipment
Energy Suppliers have provided the first indicative “pre-forecasts” for the additional range-extending equipment required to allow over 1.2m GB households to access Smart Metering.
The pre-forecasts by Energy Suppliers, signed up to the Alt HAN Co contract by the submission window in September 2020, provided the first formal opportunity to supply estimates of Device requirements using the live service, beginning a cycle of forecasting and ordering for Alt HAN Devices. The process also provided a safe, real-time live test of the service, allowing Suppliers and Alt HAN Co to work together to refine the system before firm forecasts and orders are submitted for a “safe launch” of Alt HAN installations next year.
In the Q1 of 2021, a rigorous selection process aims to choose one or more technology to provide the Alt HAN solution. Manufacturing is due to begin in the Q2, with the initial go-live “safe launch” planned for the Q3.
Energy Suppliers wishing to begin the contract process should contact secretariat@althanco.com or see www.althanco.com for more information.
Join the CACoP Webinar on the Retail Code Consolidation impacts
SEC Parties and industry participants are invited to join this free industry webinar on 19 November at 10:00. You will find out how the current industry Codes will be affected by the upcoming Retail Code Consolidation work, which Ofgem intend to consult upon further in the coming months. You will hear from Ofgem, the REC representatives and the Codes affected, plus you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions.
To register your interest please email CACoP@gemserv.com by 18 November 2020.
Change items for SEC Panel decision
One Modification Proposal and one Draft Proposal will be taken to the SEC Panel meeting on 13 November 2020. At this meeting, the following Draft Proposal will be considered for conversion to a Modification Proposal, and the Modification Proposal will be taken for a decision to proceed to the Report Phase. If you have any questions or comments please contact the Change Team.
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MP111 ‘SMDA Budget Amendments’
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Following the National Audit Office’s (NAO) 23 November 2018 report “Rolling Out Smart Meters”, the Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) commissioned an independent review into Device interoperability on Change of Supplier (CoS). The report was published in October 2019, and one recommendation was for “Energy Suppliers and the Smart Metering Device Assurance (SMDA) Board should review the SMDA funding model to ensure the SMDA can provide long-term test assurance”. Following this recommendation, amendments have been suggested to the SMDA funding model.
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The DCC provides a full Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) extract daily, as required by SEC Appendix O ‘SMKI Repository Interface Design Specification’.
The issue is that the full SMKI extract is currently 16GB in size, and will increase as more Devices are added to the DCC ecosystem. This full extract is now taking several hours for Parties to download, and more than 24 hours for the DCC to produce. |
Modcasts
You are invited to listen to our 5 minute Modcasts to learn about the latest updates on SEC Change. You can listen to our latest Modcast here, where we talk through our planned consultations, newly-approved Modification Proposals and a recent SEC designation. New Modcasts are released regularly on the Change Reporting webpage.
Enhanced consumer benefit analysis for modifications
Since earlier this year, Parties and consumers have benefitted from a more consumer-centric approach to our assessment of change, to help put the consumer at the heart of modifications.
A new consumer benefit analysis approach has been developed by the Code Administration Code of Practice (CACoP) Forum to support modification assessments. This new approach is designed to help SEC Parties assess whether a modification should be approved, as all impacts and benefits of a change on end consumers must be investigated. You can find out more information here.
View the latest CACoP Newsletter
You can download the October 2020 edition of the Code Administration Code of Practice (CACoP) Newsletter here. This edition includes the latest news and developments across the Codes and updates on cross-Code changes and projects. Further information on the CACoP is available on our CACoP webpage.
Open Industry Consultations Webpage
Please visit our Open Industry Consultations webpage for details of consultations that may be of interest to SEC Parties. If you are aware of a consultation that should be added, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
BSI Publications
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published the following:
- PAS 1879, Energy smart appliances – Demand Side Response operation – Code of practice – Demand Side Response (DSR) services have been defined for actors operating within the consumer energy supply chain and recommendations have been set out to support the operation of energy smart appliances (ESAs). This consultation closes on 9 December 2020.
Ofgem Publications
Ofgem has published the following:
- The Retail Energy Code (REC) – Proposals for Version 1.1 – Ofgem proposes to make changes to the new interim document, Version 1.1. It will also facilitate the early transition of energy theft arrangements to the REC from April 2021. This consultation closes on 16 November 2020.
- Consultation on increasing DCC’s revenue at risk against the Operational Performance Regime (OPR) – Ofgem proposes to increase the DCC’s revenue at risk against the OPR to provide a stronger performance incentive. This consultation closes on 27 November 2020.
- DCC Price control consultation: Regulatory Year 2019/20 – This consultation includes Ofgem’s review of the DCC’s costs for the 2019/20 Regulatory Year and outlines the scope, purpose and questions of the consultation and how you can get involved. This consultation closes on 23 December 2020.
DCC Publications
The DCC has published the following:
- SMETS1 Consultation on additional changes to the S1SR for Aclara and MOC (Secure) – Changes are proposed to the SMETS1 Supporting Requirements (S1SR) regarding a limited number of Device specific behaviours related only to Middle Operating Capability (MOC) (Secure) and Initial Operating Capability (IOC) (for Aclara only). This consultation closes on 20 November 2020.
- Consultation on additions to the Migration Error Handling and Retry Strategy (MEHRS) for Final Operating Capability (FOC) – In the context of SMETS1, several changes have been proposed to the MEHRS to include support for FOC. This consultation closes on 25 November 2020.
- Consultation on further changes to the Migration Reporting Regime (MRR v4.1) – In the context of SMETS1, minor changes are proposed to the MMR document to correct typographical errors and improve clarity. This consultation closes on 1 December 2020.
Would you like to join the SECAS Team?
We are currently recruiting for the following positions to join the SECAS team:
- Senior Analyst – Do you have strong stakeholder management, organisational and analytical skills? Would you like an opportunity to work in a dedicated team whose responsibility is to assure the security of Smart Meter devices?
- Smart Energy Consultant – Do you have the skills, knowledge and technical confidence to work with industry stakeholders, committees and chairs?
- Senior Information Security Consultant – Are you passionate and driven with practical ISO27001 implementation and auditing experience and an understanding of Smart Energy Code (SEC) Section G?
Please visit the recruitment page here for more information.
SECAS Helpdesk
Please contact the SECAS Helpdesk with any questions and a member of the team will be happy to help.
Helpdesk hours are Monday-Friday 9-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
| Date | Meeting, Event or Deadline |
| 17 November | Smart Metering Key Infrastructure Policy Management Authority Meeting 75 |
| 19 November | Testing Advisory Group Meeting 72X |
| 23 November | Operations Group Meeting 38x |
| 24 November | Change Sub-Committee 21 |
| 25 November | Change Board Meeting 48 |
| 25 November | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 113 |
| 25 November | Testing Advisory Group Meeting 73 |
| 1 December | Operations Group Meeting 39 |
| 2 December | Monthly Working Group meeting – December 2020 |
| 3 December | Technical Architecture and Business Architecture Sub-Committee Meeting 60 |
| 9 December | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 114 |
| 9 December | Testing Advisory Group Meeting 74 |
| 11 December | SEC Panel Meeting 87 |
