The US Department of Energy (DOE) is investing $15 million in university-based electric power centers to enhance cybersecurity in the energy sector. These centers, chosen by the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), will collaborate with industry partners and DOE National Laboratories to conduct cybersecurity research and training.
Each selected center will bring together expertise in power system engineering and cybersecurity to develop region-specific cybersecurity capabilities. The University of Connecticut, for instance, will focus on mitigating cyberattacks on distributed energy resources (DER) to expedite recovery efforts. Meanwhile, Iowa State University aims to bolster the resilience of the distribution grid, including DER and microgrids.
Other universities, such as the University of Pittsburgh, Illinois Institute of Technology, Texas Tech University, and Florida International University, will also contribute to cybersecurity efforts in various capacities. These initiatives include assessing protection effectiveness, resolving cybersecurity issues in DER and microgrids, and researching innovative defense techniques like moving target defense (MTD).
Additionally, these centers will conduct cybersecurity education programs to train energy professionals on safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Through this multi-faceted approach, the DOE aims to strengthen cybersecurity measures across the energy sector, reducing the risk of power disruptions caused by cyberattacks.
