Texas Tech University is set to establish a groundbreaking electric power cybersecurity center, thanks to a significant federal grant announced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The university has been awarded approximately $2.5 million to create the center, which will focus on protecting rural America’s electric grid.
Led by Stephen Bayne, chair of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, the project will conduct cutting-edge cybersecurity research and develop training materials in collaboration with the energy sector and DOE National Laboratories. Specifically targeting rural utilities in the Texas power grid, the center will address various stages of cyber attacks, including detection, prevention, impact analysis, and recovery plans.
Stephen Bayne expressed enthusiasm for the research project, emphasizing its importance in addressing growing concerns regarding cyber-physical security for the electrical power grid. He highlighted the project’s role in training the next generation of energy professionals, crucial for enhancing the cyber-physical resiliency of the grid.
The project is part of a larger $15 million investment from the DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) aimed at bolstering the nation’s grid resiliency. CESER Director Puesh M. Kumar underscored the significance of investing in university-based cybersecurity centers to grow the U.S. cyber workforce and counter evolving cyber threats to the nation’s energy systems. By advancing cutting-edge research and cultivating high-skilled professionals, these initiatives contribute to both economic and national security.
