CESER Adding Three New Research Programs to Develop New Safeguards Against Physical and Cyber Threats
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) today announced three new research programs to safeguard the U.S. energy system from growing cyber and physical hazards. CESER’s new portfolio will ramp up protections by addressing potential global supply chain security vulnerabilities, protecting critical infrastructure from electromagnetic and geomagnetic interference, and building a research and talent pipeline for next-generation cybersecurity.
“Our energy system faces unprecedented threat levels from hackers, foreign actors, and natural catastrophes supercharged by climate change—which is why enhancing security is a priority for this administration,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “What’s more, President Biden’s clean energy goals all depend on resilient electrical infrastructure. These new programs will help put us a step ahead of all manner of threats so we can provide safe, reliable power to American households.”
"Foreign adversaries are taking new and aggressive tactics to compromise our critical infrastructure, including our electric grid. We must increase our efforts to ensure our energy sector is prepared to mitigate any threat that poses a risk to Americans’ connectivity and access to power,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “I’m pleased to see the Biden Administration taking this issue so seriously and look forward to working closely with them to improve our energy cybersecurity and resiliency.”
The nation’s critical energy infrastructure faces a steady stream of evolving threats—from foreign cyber-attacks, to changing climate and natural hazards such as wildfires and hurricanes—that could have devastating effects on national security, public health and safety, and the U.S. economy. Through CESER, DOE assists the efforts of the electricity, oil, and natural gas industries to secure energy infrastructure against such threats. To support that mission, CESER’s new programs will:
“Securing U.S. critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector, is one our most
important and complex national security challenges,” said CESER Acting Assistant Secretary Patricia Hoffman. “Our vision with these programs is to bring together key partners—from industry to the states to universities—with the expertise and inventiveness needed to enhance energy sector resilience.”
Securing Our Energy System
These programs are just the latest energy security contributions since CESER’s establishment in 2018. Over the last year, CESER assisted the States, energy operators, and utilities in managing the impacts of COVID-19 and a record-breaking hurricane season. CESER has also facilitated stronger cybersecurity coordination between government and industry through the Energy Sector Pathfinder and trained hundreds of energy sector officials in cybersecurity and natural disaster response. For more information, visit CESER’s webpage.
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