Innovative Technology for Reliable and Secure OT Communications

Our Mission

We actively develop and support measures to improve interoperability and cybersecurity in DNP systems by developing technologies and standards, implementing a conformance program, and providing education to the industry.

Activities of the Users Group

DNP3 has grown to be the most widely used protocol for electric transmission and distribution communications in North America and other regions of the world, and is a named standard for DER communications. DNP3 is also broadly adopted in adjacent industries such as water / wastewater, transportation and the oil and gas industry.

The DNP Users Group (DNP-UG) owns and maintains DNP3 and supports our user community and the industry by enhancing and promoting DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol), also known as IEEE Std. 1815^TM. Our members include utilities, suppliers, consultants, and individuals (including students). Many of our initiatives support greater interoperability between supplier’s products and systems and/or enhance cyber security. On-going refinements also add new features and time-saving capabilities which are then included in the next update of IEEE 1815. Our growing library of Standards, Application Notes, Guides, Security Notices, and Technical Bulletins provide essential information for our members. The leadership team and technical team members provide periodic educational opportunities including tutorials, white papers, and conference presentations. Our Conformance Certification Program manages the Conformance Test Review process and publishes conformance certificates which are publicly posted. The DNP-UG is governed by our Board of Directors in accordance with our bylaws. The technical teams are involved with four different groups as follows:

Technical Committee
Cybersecurity Task Force
Test Management Committee
Test Procedure Committee.

Recent and current developments include new:

Update to the IEEE Std. 1815TM standard.
DER communications standard – IEEE 1815.2TM (draft) – joint effort with MESA.
Secure Authentication v6 (SAv6).
Authorization Management Protocol (AMP).
Test procedures.
Device profile guide.
Expanded Conformance Certification Program (CCP).

Membership in the Users Group

Join us! To participate and receive DNP-UG member benefits and services including the latest documents and updates, utilities and vendors are required to join and remain members. For more information go to dnp.org or email our team at admin@dnp.org

DNP Users Group content including, postings, documents and presentations that refer to IEEE or IEEE standards, solely represent the views of the DNP-UG and do not necessarily represent a position of either IEEE, IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA), the IEEE Power System Communications and Cybersecurity Standards Committee, or the applicable IEEE Working Groups.

The DNP Users Group is a California nonprofit mutual benefit Corporation, operating pursuant to United States IRS code 501(c)(6).

Announcements

Changes to our Fee Structure, Upcoming Information Sessions and the Special Meeting on June 20, 2019

Important Announcement from the DNP Users Group on Changes to our Fee Structure, Upcoming Information Sessions and the Special Meeting on June 20, 2019

As a follow up to our announcement at the DNP Users Group Annual Meeting on February 24, 2019, the Director Team of the DNP Users Group wish to remind you of our intent to change the membership fee structure. During the annual meeting, we described the new programs, upgraded services being provided and planned by the Users Group. We also presented an initial proposed fee structure and indicated that we intended to follow an open and transparent process. Your input was invited at that time and some has been received.

Over the past few years it has become very apparent that fulfilling the needs of our users and the industry is no longer possible on a purely volunteer basis, even though our talented volunteers consistently give well over 3000 hours per year! The bottom line; this change is necessary so that we can remain sustainable. In addition, the added funding is expected to enable on-going developments such as updated cyber security provisions and services such as our Conformance Test Review process.

For further information on why this change is necessary, please access a PowerPoint summary of our preliminary plans here. A proposed fee structure is included with this presentation but note it is preliminary. To facilitate your input, we ask that you complete the Word survey located here and email it to admin@dnp.org no later than May 24, 2019.

Please take a few minutes to review this material, complete the survey, attend the information session(s) and vote on June 20, 2019.

We will be holding webinar information sessions on May 14th at 4pm Eastern and May 16th at 4pm Eastern to present updated material and to hear from you. In the spirit of transparency, we will also share our cash flow needs and forecasts. Additional sessions may be scheduled if requested.

--------------------------------------------------------------

To attend the meetings on May 14^th and May 16^th use the following:

Webinar link for May 14^th and 16^th:

https://zoom.us/j/657827602

or Dial by your location:

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 657 827 602

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/a8zB71n6a

-----------------------------------------------------------

Currently, the plan is to announce the final updated fee structure on June 3, 2019. This will be followed by a membership vote on June 20, 2019. The new fees will take effect January 1, 2020. The Directors respectfully request that you consider adjusting your budgets now in anticipation of a change.

Finally, this announcement serves as the official notice of the Special Meeting of the DNP Users Group for the purpose of voting on the proposed new membership fee structure.

Date: June 20, 2019

Time: 4pm Eastern