Employee Spotlight Series: Meet IT & Cybersecurity Manager Shaun Boggs

At Key Capture Energy, we are fortunate to have a talented team of employees who work hard every day to identify, develop, construct and operate large-scale energy storage projects that play a key role in transitioning us to the grid of tomorrow. Without the hard work and dedication from these individuals, Key Capture Energy would not be the company it is today. Our team is comprised of people from many different backgrounds with a diverse set of qualifications, who all share a passion for what they do. Our Employee Spotlight Series, in which we ask our team members to share their stories and divulge a little, or a lot, about working at Key Capture Energy, allows their colleagues and industry associates to get to know them a little more personally.

This week we’re featuring our IT & Cybersecurity Manager, Shaun Boggs, who has been with Key Capture Energy for close to a year now. Read on!

What are your typical job duties and responsibilities at Key Capture Energy?

My typical job duties range from something as simple as provisioning new user accounts and laptops to more critical items such as ensuring our sites meet NERC CIP (“North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection”) requirements. This means I handle all of our IT and Cybersecurity needs, including security monitoring, incident response and advisory duties.

Why is cybersecurity for an energy storage company so important?

Energy storage could be considered a nascent industry. Unfortunately, many industries in these early stages tend to think of security as an afterthought or a necessary evil that “checks a regulatory box”. This becomes particularly dangerous for energy storage companies due to the simple fact that we connect to the grid. Thankfully, NERC has regulations in place for most things that connect to the grid, so there is a baseline for security that must be met. Personally, however, I do not think meeting a baseline, like NERC CIP, is sufficient. At KCE, we see that requirement as a bare minimum from which to significantly extend our cybersecurity and safety programs.  Given that we are storing such large amounts of energy, we  have safety and security controls in place to mitigate risk beyond what is required from a regulatory perspective.

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

The main reason I joined KCE was because of the startup atmosphere and the opportunity to lead the creation of an entire cybersecurity program. My role allows me to use my strategizing skills to create a vision for our future. I also thoroughly enjoy the hands-on aspect of actually setting that vision into motion. Lastly, I’m an environmentally conscious person, so I love being able to support the mission here at KCE.

How did you first learn about Key Capture Energy?

I actually first learned of KCE through LinkedIn. The position was advertised to me while I was employed elsewhere. The company appealed to my environmental side, so I researched further. Now, they are stuck with me!

What 3 words would you use to best describe the culture at Key Capture Energy?

Motivating, supportive, and lighthearted.

What are your hopes for the storage industry?

I hope the technology continues to advance to allow us to store more energy for longer with less environmental impact. I would also like to see a maturation of the regulations that govern how we interact with utilities.

Can you walk us through a typical “day in the life” of Shaun when working from home?

My previous positions have been a mix of remote and office work with frequent interactions with global teams, so working from home is nothing new to me. I’m usually up by 6:00 a.m. to let the dog out, have the required caffeine and get my son ready for school. Then I catch up on email and Slack messages until it’s time to drop him off at school. The rest of the day is typically spent checking various monitoring systems for technical or security issues, reviewing plans for the security of sites and planning for the future. 

What are your top tips and tricks for staying healthy, productive, and vibrant while working from home?

I recommend having a home office and trying to keep your laptop exclusively in there, unless you absolutely have to work on something in another room. I would also recommend investing in a standing desk or a converter that allows you to lift your workspace to stand while working as much as possible. I tend to pace when on conference calls, so it’s natural for me to stand a lot. I also like to get away from my desk whenever possible to catch some fresh air or get in a quick workout. I’m still trying to figure out how to avoid the snack cabinet though….

Fun Facts about Shaun:

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?

I have a 3 year old, so a lot of time involves doing things with the family. However, I enjoy doing things in nature, and I’m a sucker for fast cars (although my more risky hobbies have since been retired.)

Best vacation you’ve ever been on and what are you hoping to do when we can travel again?

My wife and I conducted a vow renewal in Kawela Bay, Oahu, where a movie was being filmed during our ceremony! I would love to return one day.

Any pets?

We have 2 cats (one hates me and thinks I am always trying to fight her) and one Red Labrador.

What is one thing you have yet to cross off your bucket list?

Visiting Scotland!

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I could only eat one meal, I would lose my mind very quickly. Finding new restaurants with innovative chefs is something my wife and I love to do.

What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?

Without sounding cliché, there is very little that the world can throw at you that you cannot deal with and learn from.

How do you define success?

For me, success is loving what you do and having an impact on the world and the people around you.

Thank you, Shaun, for all that you do for Key Capture Energy! Check back again soon for when we profile another talented team member.