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Management consulting for critical infrastructure

Discern what is true.
Decide what to trust.

CI-Discern is a management consultancy focused on critical infrastructure, with a heritage in cybersecurity. We advise the owners and operators of power, oil and gas, water, maritime, transportation, and government systems, led by practitioners who held the roles they now advise.

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High-voltage substation at sunset Transmission towers at sunset Oil and gas pipeline Water treatment plant Container port

Who We Are

About CI-Discern

CI-Discern was founded to help improve critical infrastructure security and resiliency. CI stands for Critical Infrastructure and Discern is a word that channels wisdom to action.

If we can help you and your networks and systems to discern what is true, then you can more confidently decide who and what to trust.

CI-Discern is a diverse team of exceptional professionals that believe in and are committed to the shared mission of improving Critical Infrastructure security and resiliency.

Our cybersecurity risk management and compliance services span critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, manufacturing, water, maritime, transportation, government, and agriculture. From NERC CIP compliance to TSA directives and help aligning security programs to NIST frameworks, we tailor solutions to meet each client’s unique needs.

We can help you to establish, improve, and optimize your security and compliance programs across NERC CIP, NERC 693, AWIA, TSA, FISMA, NIST CSF, and CMMC.

Leadership

Experienced security leadership from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Western Area Power Administration, American Electric Power, and EY.

Dillon Dieffenbach
Dillon Dieffenbach
CEO, co-founder
Former EY Partner and Cyber-in-Energy Lead for the Americas. 25+ years.
Greg Sisson
Greg Sisson
COO, co-founder
Former CISO, U.S. Department of Energy. U.S. Army veteran. 30+ years.
Jim Ball
Jim Ball
CTO, co-founder
Former CISO, Western Area Power Administration. U.S. Navy veteran. 40+ years.
Steve Swick
Steve Swick
Power & Utilities Lead
Former CSO, American Electric Power. U.S. Air Force veteran. 35+ years.

Why CI-Discern

Why clients choose us

1We bring experience, not theory.
Our founders have served as federal and utility CISOs and led energy cybersecurity practices at EY. We advise from decisions we have made in the roles our clients hold today.
2We focus on consequences and outcomes.
High-consequence risks shape our approach. We protect critical systems and enable recovery so organizations withstand disruption.
3We connect operations, security, and leadership.
We bring engineers, operators, security teams, and executives to the same table, so recommendations fit how systems run and can be funded and governed.

Our values

Unapologetically people focused

Solutions built around how people actually work and communities thrive.

Partners who stand with you

Shared responsibility, well beyond the contract.

We build continuity

Built to keep essential services running.

Trust earned daily

Transparent, consistent, accountable, every time.

Dillon Dieffenbach
Resilience is built through clarity, discipline, and trust. Our job is to help organizations strengthen all three before disruption occurs. We have the experience, relationships, and technical acumen to help you secure what matters most.
Dillon DieffenbachChief Executive Officer

Client results
Power Utilities
CISO Advisory & Amplification

Top 5 Investor-Owned Utility

Published Cybersecurity Strategy and Secure OT Defense Framework, each tied to operational performance metrics leadership can track.

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Government and Defense
IT/OT Strategy, Architecture & Design

U.S. Government Agency

Developed defensible guidance for protecting critical national assets, pairing the zero trust architecture with the program office to deliver it.

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Maritime
C-Suite, Board & Government Advisory

Regional Seaport

One of two firms selected to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in leading a cybersecurity incident response tabletop exercise.

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Government and Defense
Assessments & Audit Readiness

Multiple Defense Clients

Delivered audit-ready, sustainable compliance outcomes for organizations serving the Department of War.

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Connect With Us

Whether you want to discuss CI-Discern's Sectors, Services, or have a conversation about your environment, click “Contact us” to speak with a leading expert.

Contact us info@ci-discern.com