Hi all,

If there is one thing that remains the same with the SEC, it is that there is a lot of Change happening.

This month the SEC Change team have been supporting 27 open Modification Proposals, designated two versions of the Smart Energy Code, and hosted a successful SEC Section D workshop as part of a full review of the Modifications Process.

The Section D workshop was held to gather views on the process and how change can be delivered as effectively as possible. The workshop was well attended and received positive feedback. The attendees’ contributions have been considered and will now be fed into a straw man solution.

Please look out for a consultation we will be issuing very soon to gather wider views on this, with plans to present the results to the Panel at its April meeting. We look forward to hearing your views.

Regards,

David Kemp

Change Delivery Manager, SECAS

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User CIO Engagement Sessions

SECAS and the User CIO will again be holding one-on-one Engagement Sessions for all Users interested in asking questions about their Security Assessment.

This will allow SEC Parties to raise specific concerns or questions directly with SECAS and the User CIO. Each session can involve up to 3 representatives from each Party, and the sessions can be held in person or via teleconference.

Dates available are:

Tuesday 20^th March 2018

Tuesday 27^th March 2018

Thursday 12^th April 2018

Bookings are now open for all engagement sessions, on a first come first served basis. If you are interested please email the SECAS helpdesk (secas@gemserv.com) your preferred date, and we will come back to you with more information shortly.

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SEC Governance

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SEC Panel

The SEC Panel held its latest meeting on 9^th February 2018. The key topics and decisions discussed can be found in the Final Minutes here.  

Key items discussed include:

• The Panel approved the Draft Budget for the next three Regulatory Years. The Draft Budget has now been published on the SEC Website and will remain the Draft Budget until 8^th March 2018, after which it will become the Approved Budget 2018-2021 to become effective on 1^st April 2018;
• The Panel approved the updated version of the Panel Release Management Policy, following updates to the documents as a result of the responses received to the Release Management Policy consultation. The Release Management Policy has been published on the SEC Website; and
• The Panel discussed the reports currently provided to the Panel by the DCC, and whether these reports could be delegated to the Operations Group to review. The Panel agreed to delegate several of the reports to the Operations Group, which can be viewed via the SEC Panel Delegations Register.

The next Panel meeting will be on Wednesday, 9^th March 2018.

Security Sub-Committee

In addition to reviewing Security Assessments for DCC Users, the SSC discussed the following items:

• The DCC informed the SSC that the SOC2 Assessment has been completed and it is waiting for the final outputs of the assessment to be circulated for review;
• The SSC discussed potential requirements to add SMETS1 devices to the Certified Products Lists after Enrolment and Adoption. It is expected that more analysis needs to be done and brought back to the SSC for consideration.
• The SSC were presented with the scope of the annual Smart Metering Risk Assessment.

The SSC meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Further information about the SSC can be found here.

Technical Architecture and Business Architecture Sub-Committee (TABASC)

The TABASC met on 15th February 2018 and the headlines can be found here. The main topics of discussion included:

• The progress made on undertaking the review of the necessary updates to the Business Architecture Document (BAD) and the Technical Architecture Document (TAD) to capture the changes being implemented as part of Release 2.0;
• The TABASC Effectiveness Review survey, where it was agreed to take forward feedback received from the Operations Group on the survey. In addition, the TABASC agreed to initially issue the survey at the end of April 2018 with a subsequent re-issue later in the year, once the volumes of SMETS2 metering system installs are anticipated to have increased. The survey will be issued to all SEC Parties, but with the aim of getting DCC User views on the experience of liver operations to date; and
• The TABASC’s role in transitional releases, where it was agreed to note to the Panel in March expectations on what to expect from BEIS following a transitional release going live and moving under enduring governance. Expected handover materials would be outstanding risk, issues, defects, workarounds and testing work-off plan progress.

The next TABASC meeting will be held 19th March 2018

Testing Advisory Group (TAG)

The TAG met on 21st February 2018 to primarily discuss the Testing Approach Documents associated with Release 2.0 (R2.0) and the SMETS1 Services Release, which have informed updates to the Panel in March, covering recommendations on the exit criteria for SMETS1 System Integration Testing (SIT), views on SMETS1 Interface Testing (IT) and a recommendation on R2.0 User Interface Testing (UIT) Approach Document Entry and Exit criteria.

The next TAG meeting will be on 28th March 2018.

Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) Policy Management Authority (PMA) Update

The SMKI PMA met on 20th February 2018 and discussed the following topics:

• The DCC informed the SMKI PMA that SMKI Repository Testing (SRT) Part 3b had been successful and that it was in production. The SMKI PMA was unable to sign off the completion of the SRT Part 3b until both CSPs have conducted SMKI101 testing;
• The SSC discussed the scope and plan of proving of the SMKI Recovery Environment. The DCC will invite Parties to participate in Production Proving. Ideally, the DCC is looking for a Party that has already gone through SRT Part 3b testing; and
• The SMKI PMA was informed that new Key Custodians are needed to replace the ones who had left. The DCC was concerned about the current number of Key Custodians, which could become an issue if others vacate their positions in future.

The next SMKI PMA meeting will take place on 20th March 2018.

Operations Group (Ops Group)

The Operations Group met on 27^th February 2018. In addition to reviewing a number of regular DCC reports, the following items were discussed:

• The OPSG were provided an overview of the DCC Production Proving Options Analysis and Recommendation consultation that is currently in progress;
• The DCC provided the OPSG with an overview of the aims and objectives of the Ready to Scale project; and
• An update was provided on the Major Incident in the Communication Service Provider North (CSPN) region on 16^th February 2018.

The next OPSG meeting will be held 27^th March 2018.

Modifications Update

New SEC Modification Proposals

One new modification has been raised in February 2018; SECMP0046 ‘Allow DNOs to control Electric Vehicle chargers connected to Smart Meter infrastructure’. The Initial Modification Report (IMR) for this modification will be presented at the March 2018 Panel meeting.

Modifications Update Following February Panel Meeting

At its February 2018 meeting, the Panel considered the following:

• the IMR for SECMP0045 ‘Incorporation of the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations’; and
• the Draft Modification Report (DMR) for SECMP0034 ‘Changes to the SEC Section D for DCC analysis provisions’.

The Panel determined that both modifications should be progressed to Modification Report Consultation (MRC). SECAS have since issued MRCs for SECMP0034 and SECMP0045. Responses to both consultations are due by 5pm on Friday 9th March 2018.

 

Modification Working Group Membership

SECAS are seeking additional membership for the following Modification Working Groups (WG):

• SECMP0012 ‘Channel selection to support Shared HAN solutions’; and
• SECMP0025 ‘Electricity Network Party Access to Load Switching Information’.

SEC Modification WGs need to be composed of at least five individuals with relevant experience and expertise in relation to the subject matter.

If you would like to be involved in the refinement of SECMP0012 and/or SECMP0025, please contact the SEC Modifications Team on 020 7090 7755 or email SEC.Change@gemserv.com.

 

Approval of the Panel Release Management Policy

At its February 2018 meeting, the Panel approved its Release Management Policy. This document sets out the following:

• agreed framework for the setting and prioritisation of implementation dates and timetables;
• the frequency of SEC Releases; and
• the implementation of all approved SEC Modification Proposals.

You can download a copy of the approved Release Management Policy from the About Releases page of our website.

 

 Designation of SEC version 5.14

SEC version 5.14 came into effect on 22^nd February 2018. The Secretary of State directed changes to SEC Section A and designated a new SEC Appendix AJ. The Secretary of State also approved the Systems Integration Testing (SIT) and the Device Integration Testing (DIT) Approach Documents for reference against SEC Appendix AJ. Further information on this designation can be found here.

You can download individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page of our website. The SIT and DIT Approach Documents are available on the About Releases page of our website.

 

Modification Consultations

In February 2018, SECAS issued SECMP0043 ‘Modification to Services Force Majeure Provisions’ for Industry Consultation. This consultation seeks views from SEC Parties on SECMP0043 prior to convening a Working Group (WG). The information provided as part of this consultation will be used to facilitate WG discussions on SECMP0043 and help shape the solution and assist the Panel, the Change Board and the Authority in their determination. This consultation closes at 5pm on Thursday, 15 March 2018.

 

Modifications Question Hour

The next Modifications’ Question Hour will be held at 11 am on Monday 5^th March 2018. Further information, including the relevant teleconference details, can be found here.

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Recent Publications

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Switching Programme: Outline Business Case

In September 2017, Ofgem consulted on their proposed package of reforms to deliver faster and more reliable switching. Ofgem proposed a centralised switching service (CSS), whereby the DCC will provide the CSS and procure the communications network required to deliver these switching arrangements. On the 12th February 2018, Ofgem published their decision to move ahead with reform package RP2a. The reforms will deliver next-day switching as a new standard in the industry.

In regard to amendments to licences, Ofgem do not plan, at this stage, to require suppliers to switch customers next-day. Ofgem, have decided to include a regulatory backstop to require suppliers to switch customers within five working days of entering into a contract. However, this will be subject to appropriate exceptions, including when a customer has requested a later date.

Additionally, Ofgem has concluded that the DCC’s licence shall be extended to include an explicit requirement to oversee the design, build and test of the CSS.

Finally, the programme will now move into the Enactment phase. During this time, the DCC will proceed with the procurement of the required new systems and services.

The full details can be read in the Business Case here. 

 

Consultation on Change to the Smart Energy Code to Permit DCC to Develop and Use a Production Proving Capability

BEIS are currently consulting on approving the DCC to develop and use Production Proving for live DCC systems. BEIS has agreed with the DCC’s recommendation that amendments to the SEC should be made in order to permit the DCC to carry out Production Proving. This will allow the DCC to communicate with devices specifically installed for Production Proving, to prove the functionality of its Live systems. SEC Sections L and A would be amended, with a new SEC Section P being introduced.

The consultation closes on the 14th March 2018 and can be found here.

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SECAS Activities

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Network Party Round Table Engagement Session – 20^th February 2018

On Tuesday 20^th February 2018, SECAS hosted a round-table engagement event to gather Network Parties for an open discussion about matters relevant to Network Operators. Positive feedback was received from the event, and as a result SECAS have agreed to host the events twice a year.

Any network Parties that are interested in being involved should email the SECAS Helpdesk.

SEC Parties and Accessions

One new Party acceded to the SEC in January 2018. The table below shows the current status of SEC Parties. SEC Party Details can be accessed on the SEC Website.

 

Current SEC parties	286
Accession of new Parties to the SEC since last Newsletter	3
Parties withdrawing from the SEC	0
Expulsion of Parties from the SEC	1
Changes of SEC Panel Member employment Status	0

Upcoming SEC Calendar Dates

The dates for the March 2018 SEC Panel and Sub-Committee meetings are below. More information on these meetings is available via the SEC Website Meeting Calendar.