The Department of Energy will lead a 100-day initiative to improve the cybersecurity of the nation’s electricity operations, through its Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER). The plan aims to upgrade and improve defenses for electrical infrastructure and increase the government’s ability to detect and analyze cyber threats through aggressive but achievable milestones. “It’s up to both government and industry to prevent possible harms – that’s why we’re working together to take these decisive measures so Americans can rely on a resilient, secure, and clean energy system,” remarked Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
Meanwhile, the National Governors Association is recommending that grid operators and other utilities bring together policymakers, technology and emergency management officials, and industry representatives, to create dedicated energy-sector working groups at the state level. Many states have already started creating governance bodies that develop strategic plans for dealing with cyberthreats, advising governors, and assessing the preparedness of agencies and critical infrastructure facilities.
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